Source:  Goodspeed’s History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman, and Lewis Counties Tennessee, published 1886

John W. Welch, M. D., was born in Tennessee in 1829, son of John L. and Rachel (Archer) Welch, born in South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. John L. Welch came to Tennessee with his parents in 1806. He was a farmer and lived in Lawrence County until his death in 1876. His wife died in 1873. After residing on the farm for some time John W. attended the Jackson Academy at Lawrenceburg. In 1851 he began the study of medicine under Dr. H. H. Dodson and later under Dr. W. P. Hale, and began practicing at Pleasantville, Hickman County, where he remained two years. He then practiced in Linden, Perry County, four years. He then enlisted in N. N. Cox’s Company of Cavalry, remaining twelve months, and at the reorganization of the battalion he was elected first lieutenant. A year later he was discharged under the conscript law and came home, remaining seven months. He then enlisted in Company B, Twenty-third Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and remained in the service until October, 1864, when he was taken sick and was in the hospital at Richmond until the surrender. After being kept a prisoner about one month he took the oath of allegiance and returned home. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth McMackin, born in Tennessee in 1835. the following are their children: John A., Martha E., Mary J., James A., Albert S. (deceased), Ben T., Josephine R. (deceased), George A., Kate E., and Elroy E. In 1870 Dr. Welch purchased his farm of 275 acres, and in 1881 he formed a partnership with his brother, George K. Welch, in the merchandise business in Chinnabee, and has met with fair success. Doctor Welch inherited about $1,600 from his father’s estate, but the most of his property has been gained through his own exertions. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Democrat.

FamilySearch Tree profile:  https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G7TC-YXQ

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This biographical sketch was transcribed by Reita Jones Burress and posted on-line by Jane N. Powell on September 10, 1998, with the following caveat:

Not having a hard copy to proof read, errors will probably occur in the following document. Reita and I will correct them to the original Goodspeed from time to time. Thank you for your patience.

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