My Genealogy Hound

James W. Wells, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Macon County, Mo., December 10, 1836. His father, James Wells, was born near Wellsburg, Va., April 20, 1790, and moved with his father, Richard Wells, Jr., to Kentucky, when an infant, his father locating in Madison County. Richard Wells, Jr., was a son of Richard Wells, Sr., who was one of a family of twenty-four sons born to his parents. Richard Wells, Jr., was an early settler of Madison County, Ky., where he improved a farm and raised his family. Col. James Wells came to Missouri at the age of twenty in 1810, and settled in St. Charles County, where he married Miss Polly Welldon in 1817, a native of the county and daughter of John Welldon, who was of German descent. He then moved to Randolph County, Mo., where he entered land and improved a farm. In 1834 he went to Macon County and in March, 1839, moved to Appanoose County, Iowa, locating on the south line of the State adjoining Schuyler County, and on the east bank of the Chariton River. He then built a saw and grist-mill which he began to operate in 1844. He died at that place February 1, 1857. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and held a colonel’s commission. For his services he received a land warrant and entered the land upon which his son James W. now lives. He was a prominent man in his county, holding several local offices, and served as probate judge of Appanoose County. He had a family of six sons and four daughters who grew to maturity, three sons and one daughter still living. J. W. was reared in Appanoose County in sight of his present residence, where he moved in February, 1864. He owns 800 acres of land, one-half being Chariton River bottom land and 600 acres well improved and cultivated. He has a nice new barn and an orchard of 1,900 trees. Mr. Wells was married, in Schuyler County, November 27, 1860, to Miss Theresa Ann, daughter of Simeon and Margaret Davis, formerly of Jefferson County, Ohio, where Mrs. Wells was born and reared. To this union seven children were born: Xenia A., a young lady, county teacher, Luzetta A. and Charles S., living; and four who died in early childhood and infancy. Mrs. Wells died November 22, 1865. She was a member of the Christian Church, to which she united prior to her marriage. Mr. Wells has reared two nieces, Mary E. Anderson, a county teacher, and Phoebe Jane, who is at school qualifying herself for the position of a teacher. Mr. Wells is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican.