Edward Randolph Welles (January 10, 1830 – October 20, 1888) was the third Bishop of Milwaukee, from 1874 till 1888.

The Right Reverend

Edward Randolph Welles
Bishop of Milwaukee
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseMilwaukee
Elected1874
In office1874–1888
PredecessorWilliam Edmond Armitage
SuccessorCyrus F. Knight
Orders
OrdinationSeptember 12, 1858
by William H. DeLancey
ConsecrationOctober 25, 1874
by Benjamin B. Smith
Personal details
Born(1830-01-10)January 10, 1830
DiedOctober 20, 1888(1888-10-20) (aged 58)
Waterloo, New York, United States
BuriedForest Home Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsGardner Welles & Paulina Fuller
SpouseMary Sprague
Alma materHobart College

Early life and education edit

Welles was born on January 20, 1830, in Waterloo, New York, the son of Gardner Welles, a Physician, and Paulina Fuller. He graduated from Hobart college in 1850. He received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from Racine College in 1874.[1][2]

Ordained ministry edit

Welles was ordained deacon on December 20, 1857, and served as tutor in De Veaux College. He also served his diaconate at St Paul's Church in Lewiston, Minnesota. He was ordained to the priesthood by William Heathcote DeLancey on September 12, 1858. He then was appointed to organize the parish of Christ Church in Red Wing, Minnesota and became its rector. He retained the post till 1874.[3]

Bishop edit

He was consecrated as Bishop of Wisconsin on October 25, 1874, in St Thomas' Church, New York City, by Presiding Bishop Benjamin B. Smith. He assumed the title Bishop of Milwaukee in 1886 following the creation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac as a separate jurisdiction.[4] He died in office on October 20, 1888.

Welles' primary consecrators were:

He is buried in Red Wing, Minnesota.

References edit

  1. ^ "WELLES, Edward RANDOLPH". Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. 14: 836. 1912.
  2. ^ Herzog, J. J. (1887). "WELLES, Right Rev. Edward Randolph". Encyclopedia of Living Divines and Christian Workers of All Denominations in Europe and America: 232.
  3. ^ "WELLES, Edward Randolph". Appleton's Cyclopia of American Biography. 6: 462. 1889.
  4. ^ "The Right Rev. Edward Randolph Welles, S.T.D.". The Living Church Annual and Clergy-list Quarterly: 72. 1886.

External links edit