In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1911) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1845, Bird township
From History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial (1911), Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois (1904)
SAMUEL M. WELTON.
Samuel M. Welton, one of the substantial citizens of Macoupin County, and a prominent farmer and successful stock raiser of South Otter township, owns a fine farm of more than 150 acres which is located in section 21. Mr. Welton was born in 1845 in Bird township, Macoupin County, Illinois, and is a son of the late Samuel and Emeline (Stoddard) Welton.
The parents of Mr. Welton were both born in Connecticut, and came to Illinois at an early date, locating in Bird township with the pioneers. Here their worthy lives were spent, both attaining great age, the father dying in 1898, aged 93 years, and his widow one month later, aged 85 years. Some years previous to 1898, they continued farming and moved to Carlinville, where they led a retired life. They were survived by two children: Emma, who is the widow of Theodore Morse of Carlinville, and the mother of one son, Theodore; and Samuel M., of this sketch.
Samuel M. Welton attended the schools of Carlinville township and through work on his father's farm grew up to be a practical agriculturist. At the outbreak of the Civil War he loyally offered his young life in defense of his country and two years later, in 1863, although still but a youth, he was accepted when he enlisted in Company F, 133d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., with which regiment he served until mustered out in 1865. After these years of faithful and arduous service, followed by an honorable discharge, he returned to the homestead farm. About the time of his marriage he bought a tract of 80 acres in section 16, to which he added 80 acres more in 1873. In 1883 he purchased his present fine farm in South Otter township, where he is engaged in extensive farming and stock raising, and has proved himself as capable an agriculturist as he was a faithful soldier.
In 1869 Mr. Welton married Helen Robley, who is a daughter of the late Henry Robley who was a prominent farmer of Shaw's Point township, Macoupin County, and eight children have been born to this marriage. The family record is as follows: Neva, who married William Johnston, has three children, — Theodore, Perry and Luke M., — and lives in Oregon; Charles, who married Mary Ford and is engaged in farming in South Otter township; Frederick, who resides in Rockford, Illinois; Carrie, who married John Sells, a farmer of South Otter township, and has two children; Samuel, who is still attending school; and William, Grace and an infant, who are deceased.
In his political attitude, Mr. Welton is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, although in no sense a politician. In his religious belief he is a Baptist. Mr. Welton is a man of exceptionally good business ability and his judicious investments have made him one of the capitalists of his part of the county. As a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Macoupin County, as well as a survivor of that noble body of men who were heroes in the greatest strife the world has ever known, who fought for principle and not for conquest, his name should be included among the leading ones of this portion of Illinois.
As printed in Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois (1904). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
SAMUEL MARTIN WELTON.
Samuel Martin Welton, of South Otter township, comes of good Revolutionary stock and also can claim descent from worthy pioneer ancestry. He was born in Bird township, October 31, 1845, and has spent his entire life amidst the scenes with which he was familiar in his boyhood. His parents were Samuel and Emmeline (Stoddard) Welton and were both born in Connecticut, where the Welton family has long been known, some of the earlier members having participated in behalf of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. The parents came to Illinois and settled in Macoupin county in the ’30s. The father engaged in farming in Bird township until 1848 and then moved to Carlinville township. He died on the old homestead, in 1898, having worthily performed his duty as one of the upbuilders of the county.
The public schools of Carlinville afforded opportunity for the early educational training of Samuel M. Welton and, being a youth of energy and ambition, he made good use of the advantages there offered. He assisted his father on the home place from the time of leaving school until the spring of 1863, when he enlisted in Company, F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteers, as a private. His regiment was assigned to guard duty so that he was never called upon to participate in any of the battles or movements of the war. After receiving his discharge he resumed work upon the home farm. In 1867 he came, to South Otter township and purchased ninety acres which he cultivated to good advantage and he is now the owner of three hundred and thirty acres in one of the most fertile sections of the county. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and the orderly appearance of the place is proof of careful attention to details and the interest he takes in life’s work. His labors are rewarded by abundant harvests and he is numbered among the enterprising and intelligent agriculturists of the community. He takes a great interest in promoting the permanent welfare of the community and is a stockholder and director of the Nilwood State Bank.
On March 31, 1870, Mr. Welton was married in Shaws Point township to Miss Helen Z. Robley, who was born in Greene county, this state. She is a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Griswold) Robley, both of whom were born in Vermont, and a granddaughter of Richard Robley, of the Green Mountain state. Descendants of the Robley family participated in the Revolutionary war and the name is inseparably identified with the history of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Welton are the parents of five children, namely: Neva, now Mrs. William Johnson, of Oregon, and the mother of three children; Charles, of South Otter township, who married Mary Ford and has one child; Carrie, who is the wife of John Sells, of Missouri, and the mother of six children; and Fred and Samuel, both of whom are at home.
Mr. Welton is a patriotic citizen and his study of politics led him many years ago to adopt the principles of the republican party as a safe guide in casting his ballot. He served for many years as school director and also has filled the office of road supervisor of his township. In religious faith he adheres to the Baptist church and is now a trustee of the church at Hickory Point, proving by his influence and example that he is a worthy followed of the Master. He has through life practiced industry and temperance, and, being a man of sound business judgment, he has managed his affairs to excellent advantage. He was fortunate in the selection of a wife and to her aid and encouragement he owes much of his success.
As printed in History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Richard Robley (b. 1847) Theodore Morse
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.