From collection Candidates
In 1873 Miss Mary S. Welch was elected DeWitt County, Illinois superintendent of schools. She was re-elected until 1890 but the length of each term of office is not known. Before serving as superintendent, she taught for a number of years. Welch was elected to the Clinton school board in 1892, with the support of women voters in the town. Welch was active in the Disciples of Christ church, the Clinton board of education, and later in life served as matron for reading rooms at the local railroad station.