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 follower 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.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 691-692.
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