My Genealogy Hound

WELLS, SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11, P.O. White Hall. Mr. Wells was born in Christian Co., Ky., Sept. 13, 1809; his parents moved to Nashville, Tenn., when he was but a small child, and here were passed the days of his youth. In Nov., 1829, his father removed with his family to Illinois, who first settled in Hamilton Co., near McLeansborough. Here Samuel became acquainted with Miss Mary Smith, to whom he was married Dec. 23, 1830. By this marriage four children, of whom one is now living, William L., who lives in the Cherokee Nation. In 1834, Mr. Wells removed to Wayne Co., fifteen miles north of Fairfield. After residing here for two years he again moved, and located in Greene Co., about half a mile north of the place on which he lives. On the 18th day of March, 1836, he had the misfortune to lose his helpmate; and in Jane, 1837, he married Miss Mary Powers, daughter of Joseph and Mary Powers, who were among the early settlers of Greene Co. Six children blessed this union, only one of whom is living; Joseph A., born March 28, 1838, married Miss Matilda Wood in 1860, and is now a resident of Erie, Kan. On the 11th day of August, 1849, Samuel was again parted from his companion by the hand of death. March 6, 1851, he again launched on the sea of matrimony, with Miss Sarah Sullivan. Ten children by this union, two living: Malvina F., who married Joseph Vinyard, now a Resident of Denton Co., Texas; and David W., who was born Aug. 11, 1856, and now lives with his father on the old homestead. On the 1st of Nov., 1865, Mrs. Wells was called from hence, leaving Mr. W. a widower for the third time. On Feb. 5, 1868, he married Mrs. Esther Meley, who is now living. Mr. Wells relates that during his stay in Wayne Co. he did not see a single piece of wheat sown or raised, and nothing for bread but corn meal, and that from frost-bitten corn. While living in Wayne Co. he lost two children by milk sickness, which caused him to leave the county, at the time he left seven families moved together, to escape the terrible ravages of this deadly plague. From his experience with the disease Mr. W. gives much useful and practical information as how to prevent and cure this malady. He states that upon his arrival in Greene Co. there were not more than a dozen houses in the township where he settled; and where the present city of White Hall now stands, at that time was a collection of log houses, probably a dozen in number, and one store kept in a log cabin. He arrived in Greene Co., possessed of two ponies, $45 in money, and a few of the necessary implements of housekeeping. In the years 1837-39 ne followed the occupation of buying poultry through the country, and taking it to market in St. Louis; he by this means cleared enough to buy 40 acres of land. But going security for friends, he lost his little all, and was obliged to make a new start. In 1845 he again commenced his former business, buying produce for the St. Louis market. This pursuit he followed fifteen years, thereby amassing enough money to purchase the 80 acres of land on which his residence stands, although during the time he suffered from ill health incessantly, and met with misfortunes which would have disheartened a man who had not an indomitable will and energy. He states that during his farming he has lost what would have easily made 40,000 bushels of wheat by the dry freeze, and over sixty head of horses, yet, despite all these trials, difficulties and misfortunes, he has accumulated about 500 acres of land by his own individual efforts. In 1842 he became identified with the United Baptist Church, and is well known in the community for his piety and strict temperance principles.