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The Wells Family


Info:

Thanks to someone else's work, we have quit a bit of info on the Wells family dating back all the way to Richard Wells in 1771 in Maryland. We have documented as far back as Col James Wells.

This side of the family starts with Luzetta Wells married to Charles Skinner, she was the daughter of William Kerr Wells and Mahala Cooksey.

Census Chart
Because of logistics, I will only put direct relatives in this chart, maybe later I will add more and more census info. You will need to be able to read PDF formats so if you can't do that, download the program for free using the button provided at the bottom of the chart.

Name Year Year Year Year Year Year Year
Wells, Luzetta - Charles Skinner
 B:1847 in IA D:1911 in MO		 1850
 Appanoose
IA - 3		 1860
 Appanoose
IA - 13		 1870
 Appanoose
IA - 23		 1880
 Cowley
KS - 33		 1900
 Pulaski
MO - 53		 1910
 Pulaski
MO - 64		 -
Wells, William K - Mahala Cooksey
 B:1820 in MO D:1856 in IA		 1820 1830 1840 1850
 Appanoose
IA - 30		 - - -
Wells, Col James - Mary Weldon
 B:1791 in OH D:1857 in IA		 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850
Schuyler
MO - 59		 -
Wells, Richard - Ann Brown
 B:1721 in MD D:1816 in OH		 - - - - 1790 1800 1810
               


This is the Wells Castle in
England, we have not
documented all the way
back yet but some historians
believe this is the same
family line.


Col James Wells in about 1845

Documents:

Luzetta Wells Marriage to Charles Skinner

History article with Col James Wells and E.D. Skinner

History of Appanoose Co. Iowa (Wells Township)

The Colonel James Wells Family
 By Jane Anderson-Bradburn, 1953

Last Will and Testament of James and Polly Wells

Newspaper Clipping about Richard Wells

Richard Wells Last Will and Testament

Luzetta Wells Skinner's Death Certificate

Wells Township by Alice Wayne Daniels


 After searching for about five years we finally found the resting place of Luzetta (Wells) Skinner in St. Louis, MO. The strange thing about that is, we live right outside St. Louis.... Go figure.
She is buried along side her Grandson William R Goodman.

 

   Wells Family Pictures 

Wells Online Cemetery

Download Adobe Reader
Click to download viewer if needed

Descendants of Richard Wells

Generation No. 1

1. SR. RICHARD1 WELLS was born 17 Mar 1721/22 in Baltimore, MD, and died 12 Sep 1816 in Licking Co, Ohio. He married ANN NANCY BROWN, daughter of GEORGE BROWN and MARY STEVENSON. She was born 1723 in Frederick Co, MD, and died 1765 in Cumberland Co, PA.

Child of RICHARD WELLS and ANN BROWN is:

2. i. CAPTAIN RICHARD2 WELLS, b. 08 Mar 1751/52; d. 12 Sep 1816, Madison Co, KY.

 

Generation No. 2

2. CAPTAIN RICHARD2 WELLS (RICHARD1) was born 08 Mar 1751/52, and died 12 Sep 1816 in Madison Co, KY. He married (1) HONOUR HOLMES Abt. 1771, daughter of WILLIAM HOLMES and HONOUR WELLS. She was born 04 Apr 1755 in Baltimore Co, MD, and died Bet. 1780 - 1781. He married (2) JANE BROWN 15 Feb 1781, daughter of EDWARD BROWN and MARGARET DURBIN. She was born 1762 in Frederick Co, MD, and died 1832 in Pike Co, MO.

Notes for CAPTAIN RICHARD WELLS:

Migrated from Maryland to Cumberland Co., PA, as early as 1763. He owned 200 acres of land surveyed for him Aug. 1, 1766 (reference from archives). Later part of this county was called Bedford. In 1771-72, Richard lived and paid taxes in Brothers Valley Township, Bedford Co., PA.

Family tradition says that Richard Wells left Somerset County in 1774 with "eight sons old enough to bear arms" and went to the Panhandle Section of what is now West Virginia. On this trip the Indians stole all his horses. He and his sons trailed the thieves, killed two Indians and one horse and secured other horses. We don't know how they got the horses.

Richard Wells, I, fought in the Revolutionary War. Was a member of Captain Edmund Baxter's Company in Pennsylvania or Virginia. Later he moved from Panhandle section to Bourbon Co., KY, near Millersburg, and then to Ohio. He and his sons George and Joseph Wells, were early settlers of Licking Co., Ohio in 1801-02.

Children of RICHARD WELLS and HONOUR HOLMES are:

i. ELIZABETH3 WELLS, b. 1771.

ii. HONOR WELLS, b. 1778; d. 1854.

3. iii. ALEXANDER WELLS, b. 1780; d. 1814.

iv. MARY OALDHAM WELLS, b. 1780.

Notes for MARY OALDHAM WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

Children of RICHARD WELLS and JANE BROWN are:

v. EDWARD3 WELLS, b. 08 Mar 1782, Washington County, PA; d. Bet. 1814 - 1817, Madison, Kentucky; m. MARY POLLY MOORE, 10 Mar 1803, Madison County, KY.

Notes for EDWARD WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

vi. THOMAS WELLS, b. 15 Apr 1783, Washington County, PA; d. 1830, Pike County, Missouri; m. MARY CROOK, 26 Sep 1804.

Notes for THOMAS WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

vii. NICHOLAS WELLS, b. 29 Oct 1784; d. Feb 1844; m. NANCY SAPPINGTON, 19 Dec 1809, Madison County, KY.

Notes for NICHOLAS WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

4. viii. RICHARD WELLS, b. 28 Mar 1786, Washington County, PA; d. 15 Jan 1849, Pleasant Hill, Illinois.

ix. HUGH WELLS, b. 03 Nov 1787; d. Bet. 1830 - 1846.

Notes for HUGH WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

x. JOHN WELLS, b. Bet. 1788 - 1789; d. Bet. 1788 - 1789.

Notes for JOHN WELLS:

This John died as a baby

5. xi. JAMES K WELLS, b. 20 Apr 1791, Wellsburg, Ohio County, VA; d. 01 Feb 1857, Hiltown, Appanoose, IA.

6. xii. RUTH WELLS, b. 05 Nov 1793, KY; d. 03 Dec 1851.

xiii. ELIZABETH WELLS, b. 16 Oct 1795.

xiv. GEORGE WELLS, b. 05 Apr 1797; d. 23 Sep 1849, Pike County, Missouri; m. ELIZABETH SHERWOOD, 07 Nov 1822, Pike County, Missouri.

Notes for GEORGE WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

7. xv. JOHN WELLS, b. 10 Dec 1799, Otter Creek in Madison Co, Kentucky; d. 15 Apr 1876, Calhoun, Illinois.

xvi. PATIENCE WELLS, b. 01 May 1801; m. PETER SAPP, 22 Nov 1831, Pike County, Missouri.

Notes for PATIENCE WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

xvii. JOSHUA WELLS, b. 03 May 1805.

Notes for JOSHUA WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

 

Generation No. 3

3. ALEXANDER3 WELLS (RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 1780, and died 1814.

Notes for ALEXANDER WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

Child of ALEXANDER WELLS is:

i. SUSANNA4 WELLS.

 

4. RICHARD3 WELLS (RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 28 Mar 1786 in Washington County, PA, and died 15 Jan 1849 in Pleasant Hill, Illinois. He married MARY SAPPINGTON 11 Sep 1811 in Madison County, KY.

Notes for RICHARD WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

More About RICHARD WELLS:

Burial: Perry Wells Cemetery

Children of RICHARD WELLS and MARY SAPPINGTON are:

i. EDWARD4 WELLS, b. 1811.

ii. JAMES S WELLS, b. 19 Aug 1812.

iii. PERRY WELLS, b. 27 Jan 1814.

iv. ARRETTA JESSUP WELLS, b. 22 May 1815.

v. RICHARD WELLS, b. 10 Jul 1817.

vi. MARY ANN WELLS, b. 17 Nov 1819.

vii. KATHERINE C WELLS, b. 20 Oct 1822.

viii. JOHN S WELLS, b. 18 Aug 1825; d. 1838.

ix. LUCY ANN WELLS, b. 07 Jun 1827; d. 1843.

x. GEORGE ANDREW WELLS, b. 14 Jan 1830; d. 25 Apr 1900.

 

5. JAMES K3 WELLS (RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 20 Apr 1791 in Wellsburg, Ohio County, VA1, and died 01 Feb 1857 in Hiltown, Appanoose, IA. He married MARY POLLY WELDON 21 Sep 1817 in St. Charles, MO, daughter of JOHN WELDON and CATHERINE. She was born 18 Feb 1799 in St. Charles, MO, and died 13 Apr 1859 in Hiltown, Appanoose, IA.

Notes for JAMES K WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells. He was also the executor of his father's estate.

More About JAMES K WELLS:

Burial: Wells Cem., Hilltown, Appanoose, IA

Military service: Col.

Children of JAMES WELLS and MARY WELDON are:

8. i. JOHN WELDON4 WELLS, b. 20 Feb 1819, MO; d. 16 Jun 1879, CA.

9. ii. WILLIAM KERR WELLS, b. 10 Nov 1820, Texas Co, MO; d. 19 Oct 1856, IA.

10. iii. ALEXANDER HOLMES WELLS, b. 24 Nov 1822, MO; d. 22 May 1879, Coatesville, MO.

iv. RICHARD BROWN WELLS, b. 21 Dec 1824, MO; d. 23 Jul 1901.

Notes for RICHARD BROWN WELLS:

He went to California when his brothers John and Alec did. He had a reasonable degree of success in mining and deposited a goodly sum in a San Francisco Bank. It failed and he lost, I think, $15,000. He kept on and invested his next earnings in land and cattle. He remained on his farm till he was too old to operate it. Then he went to Berkley and lived with his nephew, Isaac. He never married. Once the mine caved in and he suffered a broken jaw bone. He said if it had not been for the wife of his partner who cared for him, he would have starved to death.

We have the jurnal from this trip.

v. MARGARET JANE WELLS, b. 07 Aug 1828, MO; d. 06 Jul 1847; m. WILLIAM MCCOLLUM, 1846.

Notes for MARGARET JANE WELLS:

Aug. 23, 1846. Her baby died when it was three or four months old and her husband went away; never returning.

 

11. vi. PHOEBE ANN WELLS, b. 07 Dec 1831, MO; d. 10 Jan 1909, Lawrence, KS.

vii. MARY ELEANOR WELLS, b. 24 Dec 1833, MO; d. 05 Jan 1868, Pleasant Hill, IL; m. WILLIAM MCLAIN, 21 Mar 1867.

Notes for MARY ELEANOR WELLS:

She had no child but he had four girls by a former wife. They loved their stepmother who was said by her brothers and sisters to have a very sweet and loving disposition. After her death, her husband said, "I lived with her less than one year, but that was enough to lead me to Christ."

12. viii. JAMES WASHINGTON WELLS, b. 10 Dec 1836, St. Charles, MO; d. 23 May 1890, Putnam County, MO.

ix. ROBERT MCLAIN WELLS, b. 27 Dec 1836, Randolph County, MO; d. 31 Jul 1901, Topeka, KS.

Notes for ROBERT MCLAIN WELLS:

He was noted in his young years for his unusual memory when 21, he was thrown from a horse and struck his head on a tree. For two months he suffered from headaches then began having spasms. They continued at intervals as long as he lived. At times he would be irresponsible for awhile then be normal again. He never married, and for 30 years lived with his brother, James W., after Jim's death, Robert went to live with his sister Phoebe. While the family lived in Randolph County, Mo., their Dr. was a Dr. Still, father of A. T. Still the man that invented the modern system of Osteopathy, if it can be called an invention. The elder Dr. Still removed a skin cancer from the arm of Phoebe Ann when she was a little girl. He did it, mostly with sheep sorrel poultices.

 

13. x. RUTH ELIZABETH WELLS, b. 18 Apr 1842, MO; d. 07 Apr 1884, Pike County, IL.

xi. FRANK W WELLS, b. 1857; d. 1923.

Notes for FRANK W WELLS:

Frank was a mulatto, (half black and half white). He followed James and Polly home from Texas and after James took him back to Texas for the second time, his mother said that if he wanted to stay with James and Polly so bad, he could go. So Frank went back and lived with the family and took the name "Wells".

More About FRANK W WELLS:

Adoption: 1862, Took the "Wells" name.

 

6. RUTH3 WELLS (RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 05 Nov 1793 in KY, and died 03 Dec 1851. She married RICHARD KERR 16 Feb 1815 in Either MO or KY, son of JAMES KERR and PATIENCE WELLS.

Notes for RUTH WELLS:

Confirmed in Will of Richard Wells

Children of RUTH WELLS and RICHARD KERR are:

i. ZARILDA4 KERR, b. Abt. 1816.

ii. PATIENCE KERR, b. Abt. 1816.

iii. ELIZABETH KERR, b. Abt. 1816.

 

7. JOHN3 WELLS (RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 10 Dec 1799 in Otter Creek in Madison Co, Kentucky, and died 15 Apr 1876 in Calhoun, Illinois. He married SARAH SALLY EDWARDS 1820 in Ramsey Creek, Pike Co, Mo.

Notes for JOHN WELLS:

Confirmed in Last Will and Testament of Richard Wells

Children of JOHN WELLS and SARAH EDWARDS are:

i. JASPER4 WELLS, b. 1820.

ii. JOSHUA KERR WELLS, b. 25 Sep 1821.

iii. ANDREW WELLS, b. 24 Mar 1824.

iv. VOLNEY WELLS, b. Bet. 1825 - 1826.

v. MARY WELLS, b. Bet. 1827 - 1828.

vi. NANCY JANE WELLS, b. Jan 1830.

vii. JOEL D WELLS, b. 1836.

viii. GEORGE MILTON WELLS, b. Aug 1839.

ix. RUTH WELLS, b. 1842.

x. HARRIET WELLS, b. 1845.

 

Generation No. 4

8. JOHN WELDON4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 20 Feb 1819 in MO, and died 16 Jun 1879 in CA. He married ELIZABETH A ROSE 17 Jan 1847 in Kirksville, MO. She was born 27 Aug 1827 in MO, and died 21 Aug 1902 in CA.

Notes for JOHN WELDON WELLS:

John Weldon Wells was a great Cabinet maker and Carpenter. He was born on 20 February 1819 at Missouri. John Weldon Wells appeared on the census of 1850 at Schuyler County, Missouri; CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: MO COUNTY: Schuyler DIVISION: District 91 REEL NO: M432-419 PAGE NO: 78 B.

He died on 16 June 1879 at California, at age 60.

Children of JOHN WELLS and ELIZABETH ROSE are:

i. MARGARET5 WELLS.

ii. JOHN WELLS.

iii. ISAAC W WELLS, b. 28 Aug 1855, Hilltown, IA; d. 1925, CA.

Notes for ISAAC W WELLS:

Isaac, who lost one leg in childhood, became a bookkeeper and office man.

iv. MARY WELLS, b. 11 Aug 1857, Texas; d. 1918, CA.

v. ZARILDA ELIZABETH WELLS, b. 20 Apr 1859, Texas; m. GEORGE E MOULTON.

vi. FRANK PERRY WELLS, b. 17 Nov 1862, CA.

Notes for FRANK PERRY WELLS:

Frank and William were carpenters and architects.

vii. WILLIAM BROWN WELLS, b. 17 Jun 1866, CA.

Notes for WILLIAM BROWN WELLS:

Frank and William were carpenters and architects.

 

9. WILLIAM KERR4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 10 Nov 1820 in Texas Co, MO, and died 19 Oct 1856 in IA2. He married MAHALA COOKSEY 18 Apr 1844 in IA, daughter of WILLIAM COOKSEY and ELEANOR WALKER. She was born 20 Jan 1817 in TN, and died 16 Dec 1861 in IA.

More About WILLIAM KERR WELLS:

Burial: Hilltown Cemetery in Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA

More About MAHALA COOKSEY:

Burial: Hiton Cemetery, Dean, IA - Wells Township

Children of WILLIAM WELLS and MAHALA COOKSEY are:

i. MARTHA5 WELLS, b. Abt. 1846; m. WILLIAM COMSTOCK.

Notes for WILLIAM COMSTOCK:

Martha died leaving one child who passed away a year or so later. He left the country a little later.

14. ii. LUZETTA L WELLS, b. 14 Mar 1847, IA; d. 19 Jul 1911, St. Louis, MO.

iii. JOSEPH WELLS, b. 10 May 1854; d. 19 Apr 1865, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for JOSEPH WELLS:

Possibly died in Childhood near Hilltown

15. iv. SARAH WELLS WELLS, b. Abt. 1849.

v. MARY WELLS, b. 24 May 1851; d. 20 Jan 1865, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for MARY WELLS:

Died in Childhood in Hilltown

16. vi. ELLEN WELLS, b. Abt. 1853.

vii. AMOS WELLS, m. ELVIRA ULRICH.

viii. ALFRED WELLS.

 

10. ALEXANDER HOLMES4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 24 Nov 1822 in MO, and died 22 May 1879 in Coatesville, MO. He married (1) CELIA ANN WALLACE. She was born 23 Jun 1832, and died 17 Jun 1877 in Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA. He married (2) HANNAH NOGGLE 30 Apr 1844 in Pleasant Hill, Pike County IL. She was born 03 Sep 1821, and died 14 Sep 1861 in Hilltown, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for ALEXANDER HOLMES WELLS:

He in company with his brothers John and Brown made the trip overland to California probably in 1849 or 50. But he went back to the old home neighborhood and took land in the north part of Schuyler, Co. Coatesville was taken from his farm. He returned from California on boat going down around Cape Horn and up to New York City rather than endure the trip across the plains again. On the way a man became ill; as his sickness advanced a whale began following the ship. The man died, but the captain hoped they could reach a port they hoped to make in two or three days. But the whale approached nearer and began thrashing the water with its tail (of course, they didn't have the undertaking facilities we have in 1953). The captain said he would not risk the life of his passengers in such a small ship, against the anger of such a large whale. They dressed the man for burial, roped it to a wide plank, held religious rites and slid the body over the side. The whale no longer followed. He was married before that trip.

Side note: I have a copy of the jurnal from this trip. A very remarkable treasure that we found on (of all places) Ebay.

Notes for HANNAH NOGGLE:

Their first child died at birth and is buried in Wells Cemetery near where they lived in Pleasant Hill in Pike County IL, then they move to Iowa.

More About HANNAH NOGGLE:

Burial: Hilltown Cemetery

Children of ALEXANDER WELLS and CELIA WALLACE are:

i. CASSIE5 WELLS.

ii. CELIA C WELLS, b. 22 Nov 1862; d. 21 Dec 1878.

Children of ALEXANDER WELLS and HANNAH NOGGLE are:

iii. MARY5 WELLS, b. Abt. 1846; d. Abt. 1939, Clamath Falls, OR.

17. iv. JULIA ANN WELLS, b. Coatesville, MO; d. 1923, Coatesville, MO.

v. ALEXANDER WELLS, b. Coatesville, MO.

Notes for ALEXANDER WELLS:

His mother Hannah died before he was an hour old.

vi. JAMES S WELLS, b. 22 Oct 1853, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 02 Jun 1866, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

vii. SARAH J WELLS, b. 23 Aug 1854; d. 06 Aug 1855, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

viii. GEORGE W WELLS, b. 30 Oct 1848; d. 23 Jan 1849, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

 

11. PHOEBE ANN4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 07 Dec 1831 in MO, and died 10 Jan 1909 in Lawrence, KS. She married WILLIAM MASON 11 Jun 1856 in Hilltown, IA.

Children of PHOEBE WELLS and WILLIAM MASON are:

i. JAMES WELLS5 MASON, m. SARAH JANE TAYLOR.

ii. CLARA MASON, m. FRANK HOWAR, Keswick, IA.

iii. WILLIAM MASON.

iv. OSCAR DICE MASON.

v. MILES F MASON.

vi. CHESTER MASON.

 

12. JAMES WASHINGTON4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 10 Dec 1836 in St. Charles, MO, and died 23 May 1890 in Putnam County, MO. He married THERESSA ANN DAVIS 27 Nov 1860. She was born 06 Aug 1841, and died 22 Nov 1875 in Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for JAMES WASHINGTON WELLS:

Their first four children one girl and three boys, all died before they were five years old.

 

More About JAMES WASHINGTON WELLS:

Burial: Hilltown Cemetery

Children of JAMES WELLS and THERESSA DAVIS are:

i. JOSIAH P5 WELLS, b. 10 Nov 1860, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 24 Oct 1861, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

ii. BENJAMIN WELLS, b. 16 Mar 1863, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 09 Aug 1865, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

iii. FLORA A WELLS, b. 09 Feb 1864, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 09 Mar 1865, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

iv. GEORGE W WELLS, b. 29 Jun 1866, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 09 Oct 1866, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

18. v. XENIA ALZINA WELLS, b. 25 Aug 1867; d. 26 Jun 1903.

19. vi. LUZETTA ALICE WELLS, b. 09 Nov 1871; d. 19 Dec 1940, Putnam County, MO.

20. vii. CHARLES STEWART WELLS, b. 02 Feb 1874, Putnam County, MO; d. Nov 1935, Keokuk, IA.

 

13. RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS (JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 18 Apr 1842 in MO, and died 07 Apr 1884 in Pike County, IL. She married JAMES WASHINGTON ANDERSON 22 Mar 1864 in Pike County, Missouri, son of GEORGE ANDERSON and MIRIAM OLDHAM. He died 14 Apr 1881.

Notes for RUTH ELIZABETH WELLS:

Before she was six months old she began having severe spells of asthma and it finally impaired her lungs.

More About RUTH ELIZABETH WELLS:

Burial: Apr 1884, Wells Cemetery, Pike County, Illinois

Notes for JAMES WASHINGTON ANDERSON:

She married James Washington Anderson, a childhood friend and schoolmate. Thought they had lived in Iowa when they married they settled in Pike County, Illinois and all of their children were born there not far from Pleasant Hill. James died Apr. 14, 1881; both buried at Wells Cemetery.

Before closing I want to pay a tribute to my Uncle James W. Wells, who gave a home to his niece Ellen before she married and also to my sister Mollie and me after we were left orphans. He and his three children treated us as members of the family. Besides giving a home to us, and his brother Bob, he brought from Texas a mulatto boy, Frank, who followed him and his herd of ponies, three days before he overtook them. Frank said, "I've watched you and listened to you talk there in Austin. I like you and want to go home with you and live."

It was a strange situation but finally Uncle Jim let him come. He became an honorable man and lived there till James Wells died. I could go on indefinitely but with a tribute to Aunt Phoebe Mason who took Bonnie and Jimmy into her home and to our Cousin Julia Trimble where Ruth lived this must come to a close. No, not yet!

Among the scores and hundreds of Wells relatives there was one of Col. James Wells' nephews in Pike County, Illinois, named Perry Wells whose kindness, and sympathy and generosity to friends and relatives in trouble could not be surpassed.

Children of RUTH WELLS and JAMES ANDERSON are:

21. i. MIRIAM ELIZABETH ANN5 ANDERSON, b. 23 Apr 1865; d. 09 Sep 1890.

22. ii. MARY ELEANOR NAOMI ANDERSON, b. 17 Sep 1866; d. 20 Feb 1940, Sandstone, Minn.

iii. PHOEBE JANE ARRETTA ANDERSON, b. 10 Jan 1869; m. JOHN WESLEY BRADBURN; d. 1922.

Notes for PHOEBE JANE ARRETTA ANDERSON:

Wrote the document that I received a lot of information.

I am the writer of this document. Married John Wesley Bradburn who was widower with one daughter, Maude. She had two children, and died June 25, 1952. I taught school 16 years in Mo. and Iowa and 11 in Washington. My husband died in 1922. I now live in Tacoma, Washington by myself.

 

iv. RUTH ARAMINTA MYRTLE ANDERSON, b. 17 Aug 1871; d. 31 Jan 1927, Whidby Island.

Notes for RUTH ARAMINTA MYRTLE ANDERSON:

Died at my home near Oak Harbor on Whidby Island, Jan. 31, 1927 and buried beside my husband. She taught school, in Iowa, Mo. and Wyoming. She took a homestead in Wyoming in 1909 and lived there alone a number of years.

 

23. v. BONNIE MAY ANDERSON, b. 17 Oct 1874.

24. vi. JAMES THEOPHILUS ANDERSON, b. 04 Dec 1877.

 

Generation No. 5

14. LUZETTA L5 WELLS (WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 14 Mar 1847 in IA, and died 19 Jul 1911 in St. Louis, MO. She married CHARLES MARION SKINNER 12 Nov 1865 in Putnam Co., MO3, son of ELISHA SKINNER and ABIGAIL PECKHAM. He was born 31 Jul 1842 in Jefferson Co., IA, and died 15 Sep 1914 in Cassville, MO.

Notes for CHARLES MARION SKINNER:

Charles has been a hard person to piece together. Here it is; he was born in IA where he grew up and joined the Union army at the age of about 17 on Sep 1861. He was discharged on Aug of 1865 after being shot in action. He then went back home where he married a young lady named Luzetta. She is a part of a very well known family dating all the way back to the founders of Maryland. They were married in possibly Putnam Co, MO just south of the IA boarder. They had four children (two died as infants) then moved to Kansas, possibly for a job. There they had at least three more children, then moved to Bonville, MO, in Pulaski County. He purchased some land from the United States which I have a copy of the document signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. We found both Charles and Luzetta in a 1910 census still in Pulaski County. They were 67 and 64 years old. Charles was accidently shot in the left hand during Cival War on July 18th 1864 in Marietta Georgia.

notes: moved to Winfield KS in 1871 then moved to Pulaski Co in 1888. Shot in july 1 1864

enlisted sep 17,1861

discharged july 18,1865

Children of LUZETTA WELLS and CHARLES SKINNER are:

i. LAURA6 SKINNER, b. Abt. 1870.

25. ii. ELISHA D SKINNER, b. 26 Mar 1871, Iowa.

iii. NELLIE SKINNER, b. 22 Feb 1874.

26. iv. LOUELLA M SKINNER, b. 25 Mar 1876, Kansas; d. 29 Sep 1961.

27. v. FREDERICK MARION SKINNER, b. 15 Mar 1880, Winfield, KS; d. 10 Dec 1967, Crocker, Pulaski Co, MO.

vi. JOSEPH S SKINNER, b. Oct 1867, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 22 Dec 1867, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for JOSEPH S SKINNER:

Appanoose County Iowa Cemeteries Vol 2, Hilltown Cemetery index

More About JOSEPH S SKINNER:

Burial: Hilltown Cemetery in Wells Township

vii. DON C SKINNER, b. Sep 1866, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA; d. 12 Dec 1866, Wells Township, Appanoose Co, IA.

Notes for DON C SKINNER:

Appanoose County Iowa Cemeteries Vol 2, Hilltown Cemetery index

 

15. SARAH WELLS5 WELLS (WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born Abt. 1849. She married MARION HAYS.

Notes for MARION HAYS:

Nephew of Dr. G. S. Stansberry

Children of SARAH WELLS and MARION HAYS are:

i. JAMES6 HAYS.

ii. JESSIE HAYS, m. GEORGE WELLS.

Notes for GEORGE WELLS:

Not a relative, they moved to SD.

iii. CARL HAYS, m. BERTHA ADKINS.

Notes for CARL HAYS:

Went to Montana

iv. EMMA HAYS, m. LEANDER SHERER.

Notes for LEANDER SHERER:

They moved to Highmore, SD

v. HOMER HAYS.

vi. MAY HAYS.

vii. BENJAMIN HAYS.

viii. MONNIE HAYS, m. GLEN LATIMER, Putnam Co., MO.

ix. HARLEY HAYS.

 

16. ELLEN5 WELLS (WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born Abt. 1853. She married (1) ROBERT BLUE. She married (2) JAMES VAN DYKE.

Children of ELLEN WELLS and ROBERT BLUE are:

i. THEODOCIA6 BLUE, m. SAMUEL MOORE.

ii. HOMER BLUE.

iii. ARTHUR BLUE.

iv. DORA BLUE.

Children of ELLEN WELLS and JAMES VAN DYKE are:

v. JOSEPH6 VAN DYKE, m. TILLIE SCURLOCK.

vi. JAMES EDWARD VAN DYKE.

 

17. JULIA ANN5 WELLS (ALEXANDER HOLMES4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born in Coatesville, MO, and died 1923 in Coatesville, MO. She married WESLEY DOLE TRIMBLE.

Children of JULIA WELLS and WESLEY TRIMBLE are:

i. MARY NETTIE6 TRIMBLE, b. Mar 1884; m. ROY ELAM.

28. ii. EFFIE LETHULIA TRIMBLE, b. May 1887, Coatesville, MO.

 

18. XENIA ALZINA5 WELLS (JAMES WASHINGTON4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 25 Aug 1867, and died 26 Jun 1903. She married JAMES WILLIAM SHERER 01 Apr 1888. He died 24 Dec 1898.

Children of XENIA WELLS and JAMES SHERER are:

i. HARVEY6 SHERER, b. Aug 1891.

ii. MINNIE SHERER, b. Mar 1894; m. GAIL JACOBS, Kirksville, MO.

iii. RALPH SHERER, b. Jan 1888.

 

19. LUZETTA ALICE5 WELLS (JAMES WASHINGTON4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 09 Nov 1871, and died 19 Dec 1940 in Putnam County, MO. She married AMERICUS STEVENS 09 Nov 1890. He was born 09 Nov, and died Abt. 1942 in Washington.

More About AMERICUS STEVENS:

Burial: Putnam County, MO

Children of LUZETTA WELLS and AMERICUS STEVENS are:

i. NELLIE6 STEVENS.

ii. FLORA STEVENS, b. Aug 1891.

iii. RAY STEVENS, m. RUBY DWYER.

iv. LOIS STEVENS.

v. LILLIE STEVENS, m. L. V. BROWN.

vi. MABLE STEVENS, m. FIRM MCHENRY.

vii. DAISY STEVENS.

viii. CHARLES STEVENS.

ix. THOMAS STEVENS.

 

20. CHARLES STEWART5 WELLS (JAMES WASHINGTON4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 02 Feb 1874 in Putnam County, MO, and died Nov 1935 in Keokuk, IA. He married ROSA LEE LOCKER 02 Feb 1894 in Coatesville, MO, daughter of JOSEPH LOCKER and CYNTHIA CUNNINGHAM. She was born 19 Sep 1875, and died 14 Mar 1947.

Notes for CHARLES STEWART WELLS:

Charles Stewart Wells lived in 1906 at Como, Texas.1 He moved to at Tonganoxie, Kansas, in in 1909.1 He lived in 1913 at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa.1 He was elected in 1934 at Constable and served in the court of Justice of the Peace W. S. Montgomery until his death.1 He died on 4 November 1935 at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, at age 61; pneumonia.1 He was buried after 4 November 1935 at Oaklawn Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa.1

Children of CHARLES WELLS and ROSA LOCKER are:

i. LESTER LLOYD6 WELLS, b. 22 Feb 1896; d. 27 Jan 1958.

ii. ROBERT WELLS.

iii. STEWART WELLS.

iv. RUTH WELLS, m. LAVERNE KINGSBURY.

v. CHARLES WELLS.

 

21. MIRIAM ELIZABETH ANN5 ANDERSON (RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 23 Apr 1865, and died 09 Sep 1890. She married WILLIAM HENRY ZUMWALT 08 Jan 1884.

Notes for MIRIAM ELIZABETH ANN ANDERSON:

When Mina died Clara was only 8 months old, her grandmother raised her and the little boys lived for several years with their father and his bachelor brother, John Zumwalt on a farm.

Children of MIRIAM ANDERSON and WILLIAM ZUMWALT are:

i. JAMES ELMER6 ZUMWALT, b. 06 Apr 1885.

ii. CLAUDE FRANCIS ZUMWALT, b. 05 Feb 1887.

iii. CLARA CATHERINE ZUMWALT, b. 18 Jan 1890; m. CARL CLYMER.

 

22. MARY ELEANOR NAOMI5 ANDERSON (RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 17 Sep 1866, and died 20 Feb 1940 in Sandstone, Minn. She married GEORGE B SHERERA.

Notes for MARY ELEANOR NAOMI ANDERSON:

Mary Eleanor Naomi Anderson lived with her Uncle James Washington Wells after her mother's death in 1884. She died on 20 February 1940 at age 73.

Children of MARY ANDERSON and GEORGE SHERERA are:

i. JAMES WELLS6 SHERERA, b. 1907; d. 1908.

ii. HALLIE SHERERA, b. 14 Jun 1890; m. WILLIS LOGREN; d. 1941.

29. iii. GEORGE SHERERA, b. 10 Nov 1891.

iv. RUTH ELIZABETH SHERERA, b. Bet. 1892 - 1901; m. ARTHUR B BELZER.

v. HYLA PAULINE SHERERA, b. Bet. 1892 - 1901; m. LOUIS FLEISCHMAN.

vi. PAUL LESLIE SHERERA, b. Bet. 1892 - 1901.

vii. MARY ELEANOR SHERERA, b. Bet. 1892 - 1901.

viii. GRACE MIRIAM SHERERA, m. HUGH THOMAS OWEN; d. 1952, CA.

 

23. BONNIE MAY5 ANDERSON (RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 17 Oct 1874. She married THEODORE STANLEY FENSTEMAKER 1903.

Children of BONNIE ANDERSON and THEODORE FENSTEMAKER are:

i. FRANCES6 FENSTEMAKER, m. GEORGE DULIN.

ii. EDWIN FENSTEMAKER, m. MARY DYE.

iii. STANLEY FENSTEMAKER.

iv. FRANK FENSTEMAKER.

v. ETHEL FENSTEMAKER, m. RAY JANAWAY.

 

24. JAMES THEOPHILUS5 ANDERSON (RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 04 Dec 1877. He married HATTIE CLINE Dec 1907.

Children of JAMES ANDERSON and HATTIE CLINE are:

30. i. VENETA6 ANDERSON.

31. ii. DORRALL ANDERSON.

iii. LORRAINE ANDERSON, m. CENE HAAS.

iv. HARRIET ANDERSON.

v. JAMES ANDERSON.

32. vi. RUTH ANDERSON.

vii. CLAYBURN ANDERSON.

viii. ROBERT ANDERSON.

 

Generation No. 6

25. ELISHA D6 SKINNER (LUZETTA L5 WELLS, WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 26 Mar 1871 in Iowa. He married MINNIE F ?. She was born Abt. 1873 in MO.

Child of ELISHA SKINNER and MINNIE ? is:

i. HELEN L7 SKINNER, b. Abt. 1907.

 

26. LOUELLA M6 SKINNER (LUZETTA L5 WELLS, WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 25 Mar 1876 in Kansas, and died 29 Sep 1961. She married (1) WILLIAM THOMAS GOODMAN. She married (2) ROBERT F RUSSELL Abt. 1905 in MO, son of PATRICK RUSSELL and ELIZABETH CAMPBELL. He was born 13 Apr 1858 in Ohio, and died 01 Jul 1928 in St. Louis, MO.

More About LOUELLA M SKINNER:

Burial: Calvary Cemetary, St. Louis, MO

More About ROBERT F RUSSELL:

Burial: 04 Jul 1928, Calvary Cemetary, St. Louis, MO

Child of LOUELLA SKINNER and WILLIAM GOODMAN is:

33. i. WILLIAM RALPH7 GOODMAN, b. 04 Jun 1894, Crocker, MO; d. 17 Sep 1955, St. Louis, MO.

 

27. FREDERICK MARION6 SKINNER (LUZETTA L5 WELLS, WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 15 Mar 1880 in Winfield, KS, and died 10 Dec 1967 in Crocker, Pulaski Co, MO. He married IDA JANE ROBERTSON 09 Sep 1903 in Crocker, Pulaski Co, MO, daughter of WILLIAM ROBERTSON and ELIZA ROBINSON. She was born 31 Dec 1883 in Pulaski Co, MO, and died 21 Sep 1972 in Jackson, MO.

Notes for FREDERICK MARION SKINNER:

Frederick joined the army and faught in WWI. He grew up in Pulaski County where he married Ida Jane. He was a farmer raising grain. They had one child, Clyde, and eventually moved to St. Louis where Fred was a Utility worker for a private home.

We found Fred's draft registration card for WW1, Ser # 129 Order # 789. It says that he has gray eyes, brown hair, medium height, and medium build.

In Fred's funeral book, it show that his marriage date with Ida Jane was Sep 9, 1903 in Crocker, MO and performed by Rev Henry Roam.

Skinner, Frederick Marion-b. Mar 15 1880 ~Winfield KS-d. Dec 10 1967 Waynesville MO-m. Sep 9 1903 Ida Robertson-c. 1, Clyde-s/o Charles & Rosetta Skinner-Obit Date: Dec 14 1967(PCD)

Obit: Skinner, Frederick Marion-b. Mar 15 1880 ~Winfield KS-d. Dec 10 1967 Waynesville MO-m. Sep 9 1903 Ida Robertson-c. 1, Clyde-s/o Charles & Rosetta Skinner-Obit Date: Dec 14 1967(PCD)

 

 

More About FREDERICK MARION SKINNER:

Burial: 13 Dec 1967, Antioch Cemetery, Crocker, PC, MO

Census: Bet. 1850 - 1860, Abigail, Charles

Social Security Number: 497-54-2039

Notes for IDA JANE ROBERTSON:

Obit: Skinner, Ida J.-b. Dec 31 1883 Pulaski Co MO-d. Sep 21

1972 Jackson MO-m. Sep 9 1903 Fred M. Skinner-c. 1,

Clyde-d/o William C. & Ellen E. Robertson-Obit date:

Sep 28 1972(PCD)

 

More About IDA JANE ROBERTSON:

Burial: 23 Sep 1972, Antioch Cemetery, Crocker, PC, MO

Social Security Number: 497-54-2125

Child of FREDERICK SKINNER and IDA ROBERTSON is:

34. i. CLYDE MARION7 SKINNER, b. 19 Feb 1905, Crocker, PC, MO; d. 26 Oct 1989, Phelps County Hospital in Rolla, Mo..

 

28. EFFIE LETHULIA6 TRIMBLE (JULIA ANN5 WELLS, ALEXANDER HOLMES4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born May 1887 in Coatesville, MO. She married CHARLES MOLER.

Children of EFFIE TRIMBLE and CHARLES MOLER are:

i. BERNARD7 MOLER.

ii. JAMES MOLER.

iii. RIPPEY MOLER.

iv. DOROTHY MOLER.

 

29. GEORGE6 SHERERA (MARY ELEANOR NAOMI5 ANDERSON, RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 10 Nov 1891.

Child of GEORGE SHERERA is:

i. SUSANNE7 SHERERA.

 

30. VENETA6 ANDERSON (JAMES THEOPHILUS5, RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) She married RALPH BYSOM.

Children of VENETA ANDERSON and RALPH BYSOM are:

i. BOBBY7 BYSOM.

ii. BEVERLY BYSOM.

 

31. DORRALL6 ANDERSON (JAMES THEOPHILUS5, RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) He married LENA LANG.

Children of DORRALL ANDERSON and LENA LANG are:

i. DARLENE7 ANDERSON.

ii. BONNIE ANDERSON.

 

32. RUTH6 ANDERSON (JAMES THEOPHILUS5, RUTH ELIZABETH4 WELLS, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) She married CLYDE NEWELL.

Children of RUTH ANDERSON and CLYDE NEWELL are:

i. LORRAINE7 NEWELL.

ii. DANNY NEWELL.

iii. JILL NEWELL.

 

Generation No. 7

33. WILLIAM RALPH7 GOODMAN (LOUELLA M6 SKINNER, LUZETTA L5 WELLS, WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 04 Jun 1894 in Crocker, MO, and died 17 Sep 1955 in St. Louis, MO. He married LEONE MARIE BLALOCK 04 Apr 1918 in St. Louis, MO. She was born 1891 in MO, and died Jan 1963 in MO.

Notes for WILLIAM RALPH GOODMAN:

1900 census, William was living with Grandparents Charles and Luzetta Skinner.

William was buried next to his Grandma Luzetta Wells Skinner in St. Louis, MO

William fought in the World War I

More About WILLIAM RALPH GOODMAN:

Burial: 20 Sep 1955, Calvary Cemetary, St. Louis, MO

More About LEONE MARIE BLALOCK:

Burial: 08 Jan 1963, Calvary Cemetary, St. Louis, MO

Children of WILLIAM GOODMAN and LEONE BLALOCK are:

i. ILENE E8 GOODMAN, b. Aug 1919, MO; m. HERSHALL ATKINS.

ii. LAURAINE B GOODMAN, b. 25 Sep 1921, MO; d. Dec 1993, St. Louis, MO; m. HULL.

More About LAURAINE B GOODMAN:

Burial: 10 Dec 1993, Calvary Cemetary, St. Louis, MO

 

34. CLYDE MARION7 SKINNER (FREDERICK MARION6, LUZETTA L5 WELLS, WILLIAM KERR4, JAMES K3, RICHARD2, RICHARD1) was born 19 Feb 1905 in Crocker, PC, MO, and died 26 Oct 1989 in Phelps County Hospital in Rolla, Mo.. He married MARIE ELEANOR GAMMONS 03 Jan 1924, daughter of ROBERT GAMMONS and AMY BLISS. She was born 25 Oct 1906 in Richland, MO, and died 27 Oct 1995 in Pulaski Co, MO.

Notes for CLYDE MARION SKINNER:

Clyde moved to STL with Family and became a fireman for Webster Groves FD 1927 - 1931

He then moved back down to Waynesville, MO. He married Marie Gammons and had seven children. Two died at a early age. Clyde was a teacher at the Shockley School where his kids went. His father Fred was the Clear for the school. Daughter Barbara had her father Clyde for a teacher and recalls him being a strick teacher but great dad. Freda had Everett Rickerson for a teacher,

More About CLYDE MARION SKINNER:

Burial: Antioch Cemetery, Crocker, PC, MO

Social Security Number: 486-18-9461

Notes for MARIE ELEANOR GAMMONS:

Name: Marie E. Gray

SSN: 335-26-3701

Last Residence: 65452 Crocker, Pulaski, Missouri, United States of America

Born: 25 Oct 1906

Died: 27 Oct 1995

State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois (Before 1951 )

 

More About MARIE ELEANOR GAMMONS:

Burial: Antioch Cemetery, Crocker, PC, MO

Children of CLYDE SKINNER and MARIE GAMMONS are:

i. CLYDE8 SKINNER, b. Bef. 1929.

ii. BARBARA LEA SKINNER, b. 28 Jan 1929, St. Louis, SLC, MO; m. (1) CURTIS EUGENE HAMMOND, 1945; b. 20 Sep 1918, Albany, DC, GA; d. 10 Dec 2001, Excelsior Springs, MO; m. (2) JESSEE MURRAY, 23 Jun 1971.

Notes for CURTIS EUGENE HAMMOND:

Curtis was 9 years old when mother died, he quit school in the second grade to work on the farm. Curtis then joined the army where he met and fell in love with Barbara which lived near the army base. They then moved back to GA. Rickland and Rita were born in GA, sometime after that they moved back to MO.

More About CURTIS EUGENE HAMMOND:

Burial: 14 Dec 2001, Hillcrest Cemetery, Excelsior Springs, MO

iii. ROBERT SKINNER, b. Abt. 1930.

iv. DONNA J SKINNER, b. 07 Oct 1933; m. JIM DOYLE, 12 Jun 1950; b. 26 Aug 1931; d. 23 Aug 2000, Pulaski Co, MO.

v. CHARLIE SKINNER, b. 11 Jan 1937; m. ERMA.

vi. FREDA SKINNER, b. 31 Jan 1938; m. ROBERT BURNETT, 20 Feb 1954, Pulaski Co, MO; b. 11 Dec 1934; d. 26 Feb 2002, Pulaski Co, MO.

More About ROBERT BURNETT:

Burial: Pulaski Co, MO, Shepard Cemetery

vii. ROSEMARY SKINNER, b. 05 May 1942.

 

 

Endnotes

1. Now Brooke County, WV

2. possibly 4/19/1853

3. Putnam County Recorded Marriage Certificate.

Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa: ... 
L. L. Taylor, editor.  Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913. 

Wells Township

Biographies submitted by Alice Wayne Daniels.

Page 351

Wells township was an inviting locality for the early settler. There was manent settler in
Appanoose county and is honored in having given to the locality the name of the pioneer, Colonel James Wells.

The township was organized in January, 1848. It is the extreme southwest township of the county and was quite heavily timbered in the center, running diagonally from the northwest to the southeast. There is considerable good farming land in this vicinity and there are farms that will vie with any in the county in productiveness. There are many small streams, the principal one being the Chariton, which mean that the land is generously watered and drained. The township is traversed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Keokuk & Western and the Iowa and St. Louis railroads.

Colonel James Wells was the first settler, coming with his family in 1839. He selected a location on section 16 and in the fall built a log cabin, in which he installed his family. Two years after he began the construction of a sawmill on his claim, which was followed a few years later by a flouring mill.

During the year 1841 Adolphus Stevens made a claim not far from where Wells had set his stakes and in the same year Austin Jones settled in the neighborhood. Jones remained but a few years and then removed to California. Stevens improved his farm and became a fixture in the township, living on his place for many years.

William Cooksey and family were also settlers in this township in 1841 and the Cookseys later became well known in the township. The name of Cooksey figures quite prominently in the history of the county.

Wells township was an inviting locality for the early settler. There was plenty of timber, water and arable land. It is unfortunate, however, that all the names of the pioneers cannot be given. A few follow:

James Milton Scurlock was a “Buckeye.” He came to this locality in 1844, in territorial days, and married Matilda Cooksey, daughter of William Cooksey, in 1845, which shows that the Cookseys were pioneers of Wells township and of the county. When Mr. Scurlock arrived here all he had in the world was a large stock of courage and determination - and ten dollars in his pocket. It is a tradition in the family that five years passed before he saw ten dollars more.

Page 352
C. F. Findley, a Pennsylvanian, came and located here in 1855, purchasing eighty acres of land.

William Horn lived on section 3 for many years. He came to the county in 1848, soon after attaining his majority. Mr. Horn accumulated several hundred acres of land and became one of the valued men of this township.

G. S. Stansberry settled in the township in 1852 and acquired through habits of industry and frugality, a competency. In 1854 he married Rebecca Cooksey, daughter of William Cooksey, one of Wells’ pioneer farmers.

James Craig came to this township from Morgan county, Ohio, with his parents, in 1856. The family located on section 2, where James remained after the death of his father in 1864.

S. P. Elam, a native of Virginia, emigrated from Kentucky to Iowa in 1850 and located in this county. He traded a horse for his first quarter section of land, on which he put up a log cabin and made the furniture from hewn timber. The bucket for carrying water was purchased with money he secured from the sale of a ‘coon pelt. Needless to say, Mr. Elam succeeded and became well and favorably known.

John and Ann Bond, natives of Ireland, were among the early settlers of this county, having located in Wells township where their daughter, Sarah Louise, who married George Robinson, was born March 28, 1846.

Eli Ankrom settled on a farm near Moulton about 1852.

Matison S. Edwards, with his parents, William and Marilla (Elliott) Edwards, arrived in Appanoose county from Kentucky late in the year 1851 and located on a farm five miles south of Moulton. Here the elder Edwards engaged in raising and selling live stock for a period of thirty years, when he retired from the farm to Moulton and died there in 1885. He was followed to the grave by his wife in 1902.

Thomas and Rachel Law of the Buckeye state, soon after their marriage came west and settled on a farm in Wells township, Appanoose county. They were the parents of seven children, of whom O. H. Law, an attorney and real-estate man of Centerville, is one. He was born on a farm just south of Moulton in 1857.

HAMLET OF DEAN

A village had been contemplated for section 2 and its name chosen. Leona was to be built upon the southeast quarter of the section and was actually laid out and platted. But the project died abornin’ and has long since been forgotten.

Not far from the projected and rejected town of Leona, on section 4, was built the little hamlet of Dean. The “future great” was named in honor of Henry Clay Dean, a noted, although eccentric Iowan of his day, who spent his declining years on a farm four miles south and over the Missouri line. Dean was a station on the Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska railroad, but is not now so noted by the assessor in making out his returns. For some little time it was considerable of a trading point, but it has been discarded for places of more importance. Coal abounds in this section and is mined quite extensively.

Page 353
HILLTOWN

Hilltown was a hamlet established close to the Missouri line, on the Chariton river in 1845, its principal business being done through the mines established in this vicinity. But after a connection has been made with the railroad at Dean and the mines, this source of revenue was taken from Hilltown and then it declined. An important adjunct of the settlement was the Wells mills, established in 1845, which brought no little trade.

 

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