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 managementof 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