Labette County Biographies
From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1894
ELISHA H. WELLS, a farmer of North Township, Labette County, residing on section 36,
was born in Edgar County, Ill., and is a son
of Elijah and Jane (Elledge) Wells, who were natives of Morgan County, Ky. They had a family
of nine children. Albert H., now a resident of
Labette County, was born in Kentucky, and was
carried by his mother on horseback from there to
Edgar County, Ill., in 1830. The other members
of the family are, Riley, Clarissa, Angeline, John,
Martha and Elijah. The paternal grandfather,
John Wells, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated from the Old Dominion to Kentucky during
its early history. There he engaged in hunting
and trapping with Daniel Boone. His son, Elijah,
look part in the Black Hawk War. Originally
the Wells family is of Welsh origin, while the
Elledge family is of Scotch descent. Both parents
of our subject were born in Morgan County, Ky.,
were married about 1828, and in 1830 emigrated
to Edgar County, Ill., where the father became
one of the most extensive cattle and mule raisers
of the community. He owned a large farm, and
was one of the most successful agriculturists of
the neighborhood. Himself and wife were charitable and benevolent people, whose generosity and
liberality were well known, and the poor and
needy found in them at all times true friends. In
early life they embraced the faith of the Disciples
Church, and were among its faithful members
throughout their remaining days. In politics Mr.
Wells was a Democrat.
The subject of this sketch received a liberal education. His parents having been born and reared
in the south, and being accustomed to its life and
methods, he naturally sympathized with them in
the struggle for the supremacy of their principles
during the late war, and became a Confederate
soldier under General Morgan. He was with that
officer when he was killed. Mr. Wells served as
Orderly Sergeant and took part in the battles of
Greenville, Saltville, Carter's Station and Strawberry Plains. He fought in support of what he
believed to be right, and was a brave soldier, but
time has demonstrated to him the wisdom of the
result, and since the war no man has been a more
loyal citizen to the Government than has he.
In 1866, Mr. Wells came to Labette County,
Kan., and has since been identified with its best
interests. On the 30th of December, 1869, he wedded Mary, daughter of Alex and Mary (Bradford)
Slane, who were natives of Ireland, but were of
Scotch parentage. They came to America in 1844,
locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained
until 1869, when they came to Kansas. Mr. and
Mrs. Wells have a family of nine children, as follows: Ida F., wife of Levi McCalister; Edgar D.,
Bertha P., Annie S., John M., A. Sidney, Ethel B.,
Leon and Ray T.
Mr. Wells has given his children good school
privileges and has thus fitted them for the practical
and responsible duties of life which they will be
called upon to perform. The three eldest have
engaged in teaching. He and his family are all
identified with the Christian Church and are consistent and faithful members, who do all in their
power to insure its upbuilding and promote its
growth. Socially he is a member of the Ancient
Order of United Workmen.
Return to Labette Co. KHHP
|
This website created September 18, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
� 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
|