My Genealogy Hound

H. S. Wells was born April 28, 1836, in Tioga County, N. Y., and is a son of George Wells and Lucy E. (Stark) Wells, natives of Albany, N. Y., and Colchester, Conn. The father was born April 25, 1810, and both himself and wife are of English descent. The Wells family have descended from three brothers, who settled in Massachusetts at an early day, George Wells having descended from Stephen Wells, who was born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass., and was an early settler in Tioga County, N. Y. He later moved to Chautauqua County, of the same State where he died. George Wells moved with his parents, Stephen and Lois (Hubbard) Wells, to Massachusetts, receiving his early education at the common schools of Massachusetts and New York. After living in various counties and States he came to Putnam County, Mo., in the spring of 1857, where he has since resided. He began life a poor man, but by industry and economy became the owner of a comfortable competency. In 1833 he married the mother of our immediate subject, who bore him six children: One who died in infancy; Henry S., Stephen L., George E. (deceased while in service during the war), Lucy M. and Charles H. Mrs. Wells died in 1881. Mr. Wells was an influential man in his county, and at one time was a Republican candidate for State senator, his opponent being Col. Pratt, also a Republican nominee, who was elected by a few votes. Mr. Wells, however, served his township in several official capacities, such as justice of the peace, for several years. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church at York Township, in 1860, and was one of the pioneer members of that church in the locality where he now lives. H. S. Wells. whose name heads this sketch, accompanied his parents to Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1841; to Steuben County, N. Y., in 1850; to Jackson and Clinton Counties, Iowa, in 1854, and in 1857 to Putnam County, where he settled within 100 rods of his present residence. His youth was spent upon the farm, and in a general store, his education being received at the public schools of Chautauqua County and at the Addison Academy, while in Steuben County, N. Y. When of age he started in life for himself a poor man, but now owns a nicely improved farm of 300 acres, well stocked and equipped for farming. In 1868 he married Miss Nancy Owens, daughter of James Owens, who settled in Putnam County in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells have been born James O., George E., Lucy M., Susan M., Henry H., Fannie I., Esther E. and Stephen C. Mrs. Wells is a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In politics Mr. Wells is a Republican. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, serving four years, at different times, being corporal, sergeant and quartermaster sergeant. He was mustered out of service July 18, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., but did not leave the ranks until he reached St. Louis, where he received his pay. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are both well respected citizens, and enjoy the good will of their neighbors and associates.