J. L. Welch

WELCH, J. L. — Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Paris, Illinois, on the third day of December, 1830. His parents were John R. and Matilda Welch. John R. Welch was engaged in the blacksmithing business at that place. He removed with his family when J. L. was quite young to DeWitt county, where they resided until he attained the ago of 14 years. In 1843, the family came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson county. In the spring of 1844, removed to Marion county, locating in Knoxville township. On the third of October, 1856, he was married to Miss Annis McMillen, a native of Ohio, a lady of refined tastes and domestic habits, the daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann McMillen. By this union they had six children, five of whom are living. I. Irene, LeRoy S., Milton R., Mattie, Alvin V.; one deceased. Mr. Welch's educational advantages were very limited, and he secured his education by improving the leisure hours, and an indomitable will. His present farm of 220 acres he has occupied since 1861. He makes a specialty of the stock trade, and has herds that will compare favorably with any in the township. His home is pleasantly situated, and indicates comfort and prosperity. October 1st, 1861, he enlisted in company G, Fifteenth Iowa infantry, participating in many of the notable events of the war — Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and Siege of Corinth. At the time of his enlistment he was appointed hospital steward, Which duties be discharged until December, 1863, when he received the appointment of second lieutenant of the Forty-seventh U. S. colored regiment. Was on the Red River expedition, when he received a slight wound in one of the skirmishes, Yazoo City, and eight at Fort Blakely. He was honorably discharged in 1866. It was at the log house of John R. Welch, in the summer of 1844, that the first church services were held in Knoxville township. With the exception of his term in the service and eighteen months he spent in California (going there in 1854), he has been a resident of Marion county since 1844. Thus we have traced the ups and downs of one Marion county's pioneers, but pioneers do not always sojourn in the country that they open up to the world. Such is the case with Mr. Welch. He contemplates leaving Marion. While the county suffers the loss of one of its respected and solid citizens, some other country and county will gain thereby. His mother, Mrs. Martha Welch, died at Butler, Missouri, November 23, 1880.

SOURCE: Union Historical Company, The History Of Marion County, Iowa, 1881, p. 616-7