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Dr. William Edward Welch
The photo above shows the State Bank of Rainier building where Dr William Edward Welch had his office on the second floor. On the upstairs window at left it is written "W. E. Welch, physician and Surgeon."
      Dr. William E. Welch came to Rainier in 1907 to practice medicine. He was Rainier's mayor from April 3, 1911 to March 5, 1912 and for several years at a later time he served on the Rainier water board.
      Dr. Welch was recognized by leading physicians of Portland as one of the most efficient men in his profession. During the years of his prime he was frequently called into consultation with Portland surgeons and physicians before serious and important operations were performed.
      Dr. Welch was stricken with two paralytic strokes in March 1924. On June 28th, that same year, a devastating fire severely damaged his office that was on the second floor of the State Bank of Rainier building. He had no insurance. The fire also destroyed most of Rainier's businesses on the northside of "A" street. It was decided later to remove the upper floor of the bank building and to keep it as a single story. This building still exists as of January 2020. He died in Portland at age 66 at the home of his sister in Portland on December 3, 1927.
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Dr. Welch was stricken with two paralytic strokes on March 23, 1924. From the March 28, 1924 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
On June 28, 1924 a devastating fire that destroyed most of Rainier's businesses on the northside of "A" street also severely damaged Dr. Welch’s office. It was on the second floor of the State Bank of Rainier building that he also shared with dentist Dr. R. R. Peat who set his losses at $2,500. Neither had insurance. The remnants of the upper floor of the bank was removed to become a single-story structure. From the July 4, 1924 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Dr. Welch died in Portland at age 66 at the home of his sister in Portland on December 3, 1927. Obituary from the December 9, 1927 issue of the Rainier (Oregon) Review.

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Dr William Edward Welch

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