William Wells

The father, in his day, was one of the foremost men of the township in which he resided, and served in numerous township offices. After the subject came to this county, he also attended the subscription schools of his township. His first teacher was old Ned Maxey. Another teacher was a young man of the name of Bee, who afterward was County Judge. Our subject remained at home most of the time until he was twenty-five, and then, starting out in life for himself, immediately settled on his present farm. The place was at first a piece of Government land entirely unimproved. He owns at present 180 acres in Section 1 and 12, 40 in Section 14, 120 in Sections 22 and 23 fo Township 4, Range 2 east; also 160 in Section 25 and 73 in Sections 14 and 23 of McClelland township. Of the whole, there are about 350 acres in cultivation, about four acres in orchard.

Mr. Wells was married in Jefferson County, February 14, 1838 to Lucy Farthine, a native of Madison County, KY., and a daughter of William and Sarah Farthine. The father was one of the earliest settlers in McClellan Township.

This union has resulted in ten children of whom eight are living - Elizabeth (wife of Joseph Dial of Spring Garden Township), Thomas (in McClellan Township), John (in Elk Prairie Township), Harvey, Mary (wife of Thos. Puckett of Blissville Township), Newton, Edward and Jonathan all at home with their father, and Joseph, in Spring Garden Township.

Mrs. Wells is a member of the Elk Prarie Campbellite Church. Mr. Wells has served as Justice of the Peace eight years, Road Supervisor, School Director, etc. In politics, he is Democratic.

Note: William Wells, Sr. who married Elizabeth Livingston was a brother of the Jonathan Wells who married Mary Jones and settled in the same county.

Source: Facts and Folks a History of Jefferson County, Illinois (no date given)
Provided by Karen Mains - Levenworth, Washington