"Doc" Wells Died Friday at His Home -
Was member of Old Jefferson County Family and had Many Friends--Teacher and Farmer.

Jonathan Wells, a well known and highly respected citizen and a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, died yesterday at 5:45 p.m., at his home, 709 Perkins Ave, after an illness of several weeks duration, although he had only been confined to his bed for the past two weeks.

Jonathan Wells, known to all his friends as "Doc", was the eleventh child of a family of twelve children born to William and Lucy Farthing Wells, pioneer residents of Jefferson County. He was born April 10, 1854, on the old Wells homestead in Elk Prairie Township.

Three brothers survive, John W. and Joseph P., of Mt. Vernon, and Edward of Elk Prairie.

Mr. Wells was educated in the common schools of this county and for his advantage was a thorough scholar. As a young man he taught several terms of school in this county.

On June 26, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Brown, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Newton Brown, who preceded him in death November 9, 1900.

To this union one son was born, William Newton Wells, now residing in St. Louis, and who was at his father's bedside constantly to the end.

Being born and reared on a farm, Mr. Wells had a preference for farming and stock raising. He therefore discontinued his vocation as a teacher, and for more than thirty-five years had been successfully engaged in his chosen pursuit; but for the past four or five years had made his home in Mt. Vernon.

He was industrious, sober, quiet, unassuming and unpretentious man. With honesty in all his dealings with his fellow men, he built for himself a character to the gratification of all his friends and relatives. While we do not claim for him a religious life in a sectarian sense, yet we do claim for him a life of righteousness, of deeds of kindness, of devotion and self-sacrifice to his family, relatives, friends and neighbors.

About 20 years ago he was united in marriage to Mrs. Rado Hale. To them one child, Leeman, was born and who now resides in Carbondale, IL.

Funeral services at Hickory Hill Church in McClellan Township tomorrow morning at 10:30.

Source: Register News
Date: May 7, 1927
Submitted by: Robert Loman