McDonough ILGenWeb

Macomb Daily Journal - December 21, 1903

William D. Welch died at the residence of Henry Garrison in Industry at 5 o'clock last evening of typhoid pneumonia, aged 30 years, 8 months and 7 days. Funeral services will be held at the Unviersalist church tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, interment in Oakwood cemetery. Owing to the sickness of Rev. B.G. Carpenter, Rev. A.F. Ernest of the Presbyterian church will conduct the services.

Deceased was born in Blandinsville and has been a resident of this state all his life. He came to Macomb about nine years ago and has since made this his residence. He was an attorney at law by profession but latedly had devoted his entire attention to the business of the Macomb Mining company of which he was a member. For several months he had worked in the coal shaft of the company in an effort to get the clearing work done away so they could commence getting out the coal. Not accustomed to work of that kind it told severely on him but with the grit that was always characteristic, he kept at his task. But the effort proved too much for him. Just when they were ready to market their output and see the result of their hard labor he was taken sick, and his constitution, enfeebled by the hard labor and could not withstand the disease and just two weeks from the time he was stricken, death claimed him. Just at the point where he appeared to have a good start toward a successful business with the goal in sight, he was called away.

He was captain of the company raised here for the Spanish American war, but they never were called to the front as the quota was filled. Afther that he was made captain of Troop H, this city, a position which he held for some time. He was quiet and unassuming and made a first class officer.

He leaves his mother, Mrs. M.V. Martin of Quincy, tow sisters, Mrs. Ed Cowan of Rock Island and Mrs. Flora Albright of Chicago, one half-sister, Miss Laura Martin of Quincy and two brothers, David and Ernest of this city.

The remains were brought to Macomb last night and taken to Martin's undertaking parlors, where they were kept until this afternoon, when they were taken to the residence of his brother, David, 624 North Randolph Street.

Contributed by Linda Worstell