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File contributed to the McLean County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2006, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
without the written consent of the author, ilmcleanvcc@gmail.com.

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Source:
The Biographical Record of McLean County, Illinois, 
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1899, pages 238 & 239

Transcribed by Marc Doty - mdcdoty@indy.rr.com on March 9, 2006

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Alfred J. WELCH Biography


"Alfred J. WELCH, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Downs township, own 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 business.  He annually feeds and prepares for the market about three car loads of stock, for which he 
receives the highest price.

  On the 18th 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 believer 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 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."