Elbert Mitchell Welchel, First Negro Dentist in Hall County, Hall, Georgia http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/hall/newspapers/welchel3.txt ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb Project policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. GAGenWeb Archives File Manager, Hall County Carolyn Golowka, ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by Bill Stephenson, January 2001 Transcription by William L. Stephenson, Jr. Reprinted by permission granted to William L. Stephenson, Jr. by Sybil McRay to be placed in the ALGenWeb Archives, part of the USGenWeb Project. Dr. Welchel first Negro dentist The Gainesville Times, August 23, 1970 - Sybil McRay, Special to The Times Transcription by William L. Stephenson, Jr. (WoodArt@one.net) Three of four year ago, Owen Patton - the county surveyor, told me of an old family burial plot near the lake just off Dawsonville Highway. Knowing of my interest in locating all such plots in the county, so that I could record headstone inscriptions for historical purposes, he and his surveying crew were on the alert for long lost headstones and had kept me informed to date of such discoveries. As usual, my curiosity was keen, and I was most impatient until I could go visit the cemetery. Were pioneer settlers of Hall County interred here? What family? Would the important headstone data be decipherable? Owen, Annette, and sons, were most gracious in providing station wagon, protection and directions. Many of these old burial plots are so difficult to locate and so grown up with briars and weeds and dangerous - snake-wise- it is most wise to have company on such a jaunt. The location of the cemetery: Off Dawsonville Highway to Sportsman Road. Right on Strickland Road. On side of hill on right of road next to house. The burial plot was rather small with several graves marked with field stones and 11 visible headstones with inscriptions. The family names: BROWN, STRICKLAND, QUILLIAM, and WELCHEL. The genitor of the family was Marion W Welchel, born 1849, died 1916; Melissa M. Welchel (wife), born 1847, died 1941. After visiting the cemetery we stopped at the foot of the hill to obtain information from descendants. Two daughters, ages 71 and 80, were living in separate homes. They were hospitable, and their memories were keen. All the acreage in the vicinity had belonged to their great-grandfather, Marion Welchel. He came into possession of this farming land in the 1850's. Their grandfather, the first Negro dentist in Gainesville, was buried in the family plot. Dr. E. M. Welchel, born Feb. 6, 1883, died Feb. 2, 1953. A daughter, at my insistence, wrote the following biographical sketch of her grandfather and mailed it to me. Elbert Mitchell Welchel "Elbert Mitchel Wehchel D.D.S. was the first and only colored dentist at Gainesville. Though just turning into 30, he established a home, built up a good practice for a man of his age. He promised fair to become an influential man among his people. It spoke well for him that he did not find it necessary to go away from his hometown to succeed. "He was a native of Gainesville where he was born Feb. 6, 1887 (the headstone records 1883). His father Marion Welchel was a hard working successful farmer who owned his farm which contained 200 acres more or less. He was wise enough to give his children the best educational advantages. The father died but the children made good through the opportunities which he gave them. "Dr. Welchel's mother before her marriage was Malisia Martin. She died in 1920. Her parents were Nelson and Chany Martin. "As a young boy Elbert Welchel started to school out in the rural districts of Hall County. Later he entered Gainesville High School and when ready for college he went to Clark University and finished his college course and took his A. B. degree from Fisk University. "He began his course at Clark with only $60 and was able to maintain himself by work in the buildings and on the campus. Coming to Fisk with only $85, he found it necessary to follow the same plan there. He spent several vacations on dining cars and in Pullman service. In this way he traveled and added much practical experience to what he had learned in the schools. "In 1910 he entered Meharry for study in dentistry which he completed with the D.D.S. degree in 1914. He had only $15 when he entered Meharry for study but, as he had in other colleges, he began working on the campus grounds and buildings that he might earn enough to meet necessary expenses. He engaged in college athletics, especially football. "Returning to his hometown in the summer of 1914, he opened an office and began his practice. Two years later on June 15, 1916, he was married to Miss Julia Bell Young, daughter of Ed and Julia Young. "Dr. Welchel although not active in politics, was a Republican. He was a member of M. E. Church in which he was a steward and belonged to Pythians. He believed in the all round way development of his people and contended that their permanent progress must rest alike on the proper training of hand, head and heart."