John W. Wells
	

ONE OF COUNTY'S BEST-KNOWN MEN DIES LAST NIGHT

"Uncle John" Wells' Life Spent in This Community; Was an Asset 
to Jefferson County

WAS A GREAT BIBLE STUDENT

Devoted to His Family; Was a Kind and Indulgent Father; Loved by 
all Who Knew Him.

John W. WELLS, age 85 years, 5 months and 19 days died 
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. O. Fox, 2007 Broadway at 10:30 
last night. Old age was given as the cause of death which brought to 
an end a life of value to the community.

Mr. Wells had been confined to his home for the past seven years 
and to his room for more than a year but his interest in his friends 
and neighbors was such that he invited their visits and enjoyed their 
conversation.

"Uncle John" as he was known throughout the county, was the fourth 
of twelve children of William Wells and Lucy Farthing Wells and he was 
born on the old Wells place two and a half miles west of Bonnie in Elk 
Prairie township on September 16, 1842.

Of the eight boys and four girls in his immediate family, the nine 
who lived to maturity married and became residents in the neighborhood 
in which they were born. Here Mr. Wells farmed until about 31 years ago 
when he retired from active farming and devoted his time to the management
of his two farms and other businesses.

He married Susan Catherine Gilbert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philo
Gilbert on January 1, 1865. Six children, five of whom died in infancy 
were born to this union which lasted until the death angel took Mrs. Wells
on January 12, 1918. More than fifty- three years of happy married life 
were spent by this old couple and their golden wedding anniversary 
celebration was a day long remembered
by all.

Two brothers remain of the once large family. Edward Wells of Elk 
Prairie and J.P. Wells of Mt. Vernon survive the others and keep alive 
the Wells name which has been so promoinent in the history of Jefferson 
county.

Mr. Wells was very active in affairs of the community but was never a
seeker of political favors. He never held county offices but was an active 
member of the Democratic party and influential in affairs of the party.

Mr. Wells was a great student and was an interested reader of current
events of general and political nature. As a Bible student, very few could
excell him and he continued to read the Book until his frail hands would 
no longer support it. The effect of this Bible study upon his life cannot
be doubted as his life was an exemplary one modeled on the teachings of the
Book he loved.

The body will lie in state at the home from 10:a.m. until 12 noon
tomorrow. Funeral services will be held at the house at 1:30 with Rev. 
George R. Goodman in charge. The funeral party will leave on the Jefferson
Southwestern car for South Hickory Hill where burial will occur in the 
cemetery in which so many of the same name are buried.

John Wells died 1928

Sumitted by Phyllis Patterson 
2 Jan 2001