My Genealogy Hound

Oliver Wells, postmaster at Marshfield, Mo., and dealer in books, stationery, etc., is a native of Lincoln County, N. C., where he was born February 19, 1845, being the son of James and Mary J. Wells, and grandson of James Wells. The latter was a native of Wales, who came to the United States and settled in South Carolina, serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and taking part in the battles of King’s Mountain, Ramseaur’s Mill and other minor engagements in that section of the country. He died and was buried near Yorkville, S. C., in his ninety-first year. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Wells was a Methodist preacher, a Virginian by birth. James Wells, father of our subject, was born in South Carolina in 1799, and died in North Carolina in 1858. He was a contractor and builder by occupation. Mary Munday, Oliver’s mother, was born near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., in 1803, and died in North Carolina in 1885. Of this union twelve children were born, Oliver being the youngest; eight are now living. Oliver Wells obtained a common-school education, and enlisted in the Confederate army, when but a boy of sixteen, on the 15th day of June, 1861, in Company K, First Regiment North Carolina Volunteers, D. H. Hill, colonel commanding. This regiment reorganized, and was afterward known as the Eleventh North Carolina State Troops, and Mr. Wells was made a member of Company I, in which he remained until the close of the war. He was twice wounded, first at Gettysburg in the memorable Picket charge, again at Bristoe Station, on the Orange & Alexander Railroad, and was taken prisoner three times. He took a part in all the hard-fought battles of Lee’s army, holding several positions of honor and trust. After the surrender he learned the brick-layer’s trade. In 1868 he went to East Tennessee, and in 1869 to Kansas, and on the 20th of April, 1870, he arrived at Marshfield, Mo., working at his trade in Marshfield and Springfield until 1885, when he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland. He has filled that position to the satisfaction of all, and is one of the country’s best citizens. In 1879 he married Miss Martha W. McCulloch, a native of Missouri, born in the year 1856. They have four children, viz.: Mary Edith, Daniel Lee, Clara Jane and Thomas. In 1880 Mr. Wells took the census of Ozark Township, the township in which Marshfield is located, and has filled the office of constable in that township for two terms. He is a member of three secret societies, and is an agreeable and accommodating gentleman.