****************************************************************************
File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net.

****************************************************************************

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

****************************************************************************

The Biography of James K. WELCH, M.D. 

Pages 229-230, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: CLAYBERG, LASWELL, SWAZEY, WELCH, WILSON] 

    
JAMES K. WELCH, M. D., is one of the most eminent physicians practicing his profession within the limits of this county, and he is also closely connected with its business interests as a druggist in Cuba, his place of residence, and with its public life as Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. 
    
The Doctor is a native of Nelson County, Ky., born September 4, 1845. His father, James W., was also a native of Kentucky as was his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Swazey. They married and lived in that State until 1848, and then took up their residence among the pioneers of McDonough County, this State, where they remained until their death; the mother died in 1856 and the father in 1878. At one time he was engaged in business at Blandinsville. 
    
Our subject was one of eighteen children of whom eight are now living. When four years old he accompanied his parents to Illinois and received his elementary education in the district schools of McDonough County. During his youth he received a severe wound which prevented his entering the army when the Rebellion broke out. He had decided talent for medicine, and entered upon his studies for that profession with enthusiasm, was graduated with honor form the Keokuk Medical College in the class of '65 and is a fine exponent of the Allopathic school of medicine. 
    
After leaving college, Dr. Welch established himself as a physician in Cuba, and for twenty-four years has been in active practice. He has a large patronage that extends far beyond the limits of the village and township, having an experience of twenty-five years in this locality and being immensely popular with all classes. Seven years ago he opened a drug store here on the northwest corner of the Square, a year and a half ago removed to the northeast corner where he is now located, his office being in the store. He is carrying on a fine business and has here a well-stocked, commodious store, replete with all the appointments of the best establishments in the county. 
    
The energy of our subject has by no means been confined to the management of his practice and his drug business, but he has engaged in various enterprises. In 1878 he opened a livery stable and for some time managed an extensive business. In 1868 he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Putman Township and carried it on by proxy for several years but he now rents both the livery barn and the farm. 
    
Dr. Welch and Miss Malinda Clayberg were married in 1868. Their wedded life was happy but was too soon brought to a close by the early death of Mrs. Welch in 1874. She left two children--Lucy B. and Maggie M.--the latter of whom lives with her uncle Dr. P. C. Clayberg, now of St. Louis. Our subject was married again in 1878 to Elizabeth E. Wilson, daughter of William H. and Margaret (Laswell) Wilson, who were among the oldest pioneer families of this county. Her mother died in 1884. Her father still survives at the age of seventy years. Mrs. Welch was born in this county in 1856 and received her education in the public schools. She is a fine woman in every respect, devoted to the interests of her husband and children and knows well how to care for her household. The following four children have been born of this marriage, Roy, Mamie, James W., and Ethel Fay. 
    
Prominent in the medical world and in the business circles of this part of Illinois, Dr. Welch is also pre-eminent in its public life, as a man of his progressive mind, executive and financial ability is needed to aid in the guidance of civic affairs and he has held many offices of responsibility with distinction. He has been a member of the Town Council and President of that honorable body for years. He is serving his sixth term as one of the County Board of Supervisors, representing Putman Township, and is now acting for a second time as Chairman of the Board, he having served in that capacity in 1888. He has always been a Democrat and stands high in the councils of his party. 
    
In 1886 our subject was appointed United States Examiner of Pensions and still retains that position by request of the old soldiers of this county, although a Republican administration is at the head of national affairs. He is a member of the Masonic Order at Cuba and has been Secretary of the same. He also belongs to the independent Order of Odd Fellows of Cuba, is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is Medical Examiner and member of the Modern Woodmen and also of the Mutual Aid Society. He and his wife are among the leading members of the Christian Church of which he has been a Trustee, and she has been actively identified with the Sunday-school.