In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1899) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887), The Biographical record of McLean County, Illinois (1899)
LFRED J. WELCH, a very successful farmer of Downs Township, is proprietor of 311 acres of valuable land, finely located on sections 17 and 18, and twelve acres on sections 5 and 7, the residence being on the first. The greater part of the farm is improved and under a good state of cultivation, and well drained with 700 rods of tile. The place is furnished with good buildings and fences, and all the appliances of the modern and progressive agriculturist.
Mr. Welch is a native of this count3r, born in Downs Township July 5, 1855, and the youngest of four sons and four daughters born to his parents. He pursued his earlier studies in the district schools and completed his education in Wesleyan University. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, Nov. 19, 1879, to Miss Bell, the daughter, of James Fulton, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. W. was born, reared and educated in Downs Township, and when sixteen years of age commenced teaching, which she followed successfully for:v short time. Of her union with our subject there have been born three children, of whom one, Walter H., is deceased. The two daughters living are Grace and Martha.
Mr. and Mrs. Welch since their marriage have lived upon their present homestead, where our subject has followed his chosen vocation with more than ordinary success. The farm is well stocked with cattle, horses, sheep and swine, and everything about the premises is kept in the best condition. Our subject and his wife are not connected with any church organization but have endeavored as well as they knew how, to do unto others as they would be done by. Mr. Welch politically is an earnest supporter of Republican principles.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ALFRED J. WELCH, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Downs township, owns and operates a fine farm of three hundred acres on section 18. He is a native of McLean county, and was born in Downs township, July 5, 1855, and grew to manhood on the home farm. His education, began in the district schools of Downs township, was completed in Wesleyan University, which he attended for several terms. After leaving the institution, at the age of twenty-three years, he located on the farm where he now resides, and which then contained two hundred and twenty-six acres, and at once commenced life for himself. Soon after locating on the place, he erected a large and substantial farm residence, and made various improvements on the farm of a most substantial character. His farm is well tilled, and is always kept under a high state of cultivation. His farming is of a general character, including stock raising, giving special attention to the latter line of his business. He annually feeds and prepared for the market about three car loads of stock, for which he receives the highest price.
On the i8th of November, 1879, Mr. Welch was united in marriage with Miss Belle Fulton, a native of the county, and who was before her marriage a teacher by profession. She is a sister of Albert Fulton, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. By this union there are five children — Nettie B., Archie Dean, Lois, Freddie and Dorris — all of whom are students in the home school, save the youngest.
The first presidential vote cast by Mr. Welch was for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, since which time he has voted for every presidential nominee of the party. He is a strong believe in the principles of the Republican party, and supports its ticket in national, state, county and township elections. For sixteen years he has been a member of the school board, a part of which times he has served as its president. He believes in good schools and in the best that can be had, always regarding it as poor economy in the hiring of an inefficient teacher in order to save a few dollars for the time being, thus requiring the student's longer attendance in the school room. He is a member of the United Brethren church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal. They both take an active interest in the cause of the Master, and endeavor to do their duty faithfully for the extension of the kingdom of Christ on earth. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of the subordinate lodge and encampment, his membership being with the order in Bloomington. A well known citizen of the township, he is regarded as one of its best farmers, and socially he and his family are greatly esteemed. In the twenty-one years in which he has been actively engaged in the cultivation of the farm he has toiled hard, and success has in a measure crowned all his efforts.
As printed in The Biographical record of McLean County, Illinois (1899). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Albert Fulton (b. 1855) James Fulton Rutherford B. Hayes (b. 1822)
The printed record stops around 1887. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.