Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 229-230; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
James K. Welch, M. D., in 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 Count 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 not
living. When four years old he accompanied his parents to
Illinois and received his elementary education 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 a decided talent for medicine, and entered upon his
studies for that profession with enthusiasm, was graduated with honor
from 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 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 1875. 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 had 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 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 a member of
the Modern Woodmen and also 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.
