terred in the Hornback cemetery, in Derry township. His wife, Mrs. Rhoda Ward, was also a native of Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-five years on the same farm on which her husband's death occurred, her remains being then interred by his side. In his political views Mr. Billings is an earnest republican, having supported the party since attaining his majority. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen camp, and is popular in both organizations. His life is a splendid illustration of what may be accomplished through energy, determination and laudable ambition. In early manhood he worked for eight years for William H. Gay, being employed by the month at a salary of from thirteen to twenty-four dollars per month. By the careful husbanding of his resources and his sound business judgment, supplementing his unfaltering industry he stands today among the capitalists of the county, and is an honored representative of its financial interests.                                 JAMES H. WELCH, M. D.   Dr. James H. Welch, physician and surgeon at Rockport, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, September 15, 1868. The family in America came originally from Ireland, the grandfather of Dr. Welch emigrating from the Green Isle of Erin to Bullitt county, Kentucky. Samuel Welch, his son and the father of Dr. Welch, was born in Bullitt county, and on attaining man's estate was married to a childhood's playmate, Miss Clemma McNutt, also a native of that county. He, too, was a physician of superior capability and learning. Removing from Kentucky to Audrain county, Missouri, he was one of its earliest and most prominent practitioners.   Dr. James H. Welch, spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, supplemented his early educational privileges by a partial classical course in the public schools of Louisville, Kentucky, and was graduated from the high school at Laddonia, Missouri in Lewis College in Glasgow, Missouri, in 1887, there pursuing a classical course. In the same year he took up the study of medicine. He may have been influenced concerning his choice of a profession by inherited tendency, by environment or by natural predilection. At all events, it seems that the choice which he made for a life work was a very wise one, as he is well adapted for professional services in this capacity and has won creditable success. In 1888 he entered the Central University Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville, from which he was graduated in the class of 1891, the commencement exercises being held on the 17th of June of that year. A year prior to his graduation he had also attended Marion Sims Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, and was likewise graduated from that institution in 1891.   Entering upon the practice of medicine in Victor, Missouri, Dr. Welch remained there for six months and in 1892 came to Rockport, where he has since remained in active practice. He is practically a self-made man, for although he received some aid from his father in his college course, he afterward repaid him and therefore he owes his professional knowledge to his own industry and laudable ambition. Since becoming an active representative of the medical fraternity, he has made continued advancement, for he possesses a nature that could never content itself with mediocrity. He has constantly endeavored to promote his efficiency and knowledge of the science of medicine, and has won the esteem and respect of his brethren of the fraternity as well as of the general public.   Dr. Welch was married in 1892 to Miss Mollie Donohoe, a daughter of Philip and Phila Donohoe. There were two children born of this marriage, Phila D. and Samuel P. the wife and mother died December 9, 1899, and was buried in the Taylor cemetery near Rockport. On the 14th of February, 1903, Dr. Welch wedded Miss Maud Harris, of Atlas, Illinois, and they enjoy the favorable regard of many friends in the community in which they reside. Dr. Welch has an extensive practice in Atlas township, and other parts of the county. He possesses a genial, cordial nature which renders him a companionable gentleman; and his cheery presence is a valuable supplement to his profes-