# William H. Welch (judge) *American jurist; Chief Justice of the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court, 1853–1858* William Henry Welch, Sr. (June 1, 1805 – January 23, 1863) was an American jurist who was chief justice of the [[Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court]] from 1853 to 1858.[^1] President Pierce named him to the court's top seat, and President Buchanan gave him a further term. That term ended when [[Minnesota]] became a state.[^1] ## Career A native of Litchfield, Connecticut, Welch was educated at Yale University and completed Yale Law School.[^1] In 1850 he relocated to [[Minnesota Territory]] and made his home in St. Anthony, a community now part of [[Minneapolis]].[^1] He also held office as a justice of the peace.[^1] President Pierce appointed him chief justice of the territorial supreme court, an office he held from 1853 until 1858.[^1] President Buchanan later reappointed him. Minnesota's change from territory to state brought the reappointed term to a close.[^1] In 1858 Welch relocated to [[Red Wing, Minnesota]], where he died on January 23, 1863.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - William Henry Welch, Sr., American jurist, born June 1, 1805.[^1] ### What - Justice of the peace.[^1] - Chief justice of the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court.[^1] ### When - Born June 1, 1805; died January 23, 1863.[^1] - Moved to Minnesota Territory in 1850.[^1] - Chief justice from 1853 to 1858.[^1] - Moved to Red Wing in 1858.[^1] ### Where - Born in Litchfield, Connecticut; settled in St. Anthony (now Minneapolis); died in Red Wing, Minnesota.[^1] ### How - Appointed to the territorial court by President Pierce; reappointed by President Buchanan; the reappointed term ended at statehood.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *William H. Welch (judge)* (revision 1378277669, retrieved 2026-10-26) — Welch's birth, education, move to Minnesota Territory, justice-of-the-peace service, chief justiceship 1853–1858, appointments by Pierce and Buchanan, move to Red Wing and death. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Welch_(judge)>