Wells Family
Prominent among the hardy and adventurous pioneers of Shelby County was James Wells, a native of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. As a soldier of the second war for independence he bore a first lieutenant's commission until he was promoted to a captaincy, for meritorious conduct in the field. He was with Brown and Scott in July, 1814, during which month he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, in which latter action both Brown and Scott were wounded. He was with the besieged army at Fort Erie, and participated in the gallant actions which wrung victory from the hands of a reluctant foe. After the close of the war he returned to his home and family, and resumed his occupation as a hatter. A few years later inaugurated that swelling tide of immigration which rolled across the Alleghenies and still westward, until the new State of Ohio was reached. A similar movement had occurred during the territorial period, for the ordinance of 1787 had given an impetus to the first great, concerted westward movement. It was with the second movement, following the war of 1812, that Mr. Wells looked about his New England home, saw a family growing up about him, and resolved to follow the course of empire, and, if possible, carve a home out of the wilderness in order to better provide for the future of his family.
He accordingly became a part of the human current which had set in toward the Ohio Valley, and only paused when he had reached the growing town of Cincinnati, now the metropolis of Ohio, and justly termed the Queen City of the West. This was in the year 1818, during which the St. Mary’s Treaty was established, by the provisions of which the Government acquired possession of large tracts of land previously occupied by the Indians as reserve lands. Not having means to bring his family along he had left his wife and children until such time as he could find a home, and have them removed to it. After working in Cincinnati about eighteen months he moved up the Miami Valley as far as Piqua, where he was employed about six months. At the expiration of this time he looked a little farther northward, saw the new county of Shelby erected, and moved within its limits to locate t Hardin the only village within the county, and at that time the seat of justice. This settlement was in the spring of 1820, less than a year after the organization of the Shelby County government. Having already accumulated some little means, and concluding to permanently locate at Hardin, he sent for his family. His wife and little ones – the oldest child being only eight years of age – started on the long trip with a neighbor named Roby, and traveled by wagon as far as Olean Point, New York. Here Mr. Roby built a flat-boat, named it “Noah’s Ark,” and upon it the family took passage for the new settlement of the West. They floated down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where they were met by John Wilson, of Turtle Creek Township, another of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Wilson brought them through from Cincinnati to their new home, their trip occupying in all about six months.
On locating at Hardin Mr. Wells had fitted up something of a shop, in which he worked at his trade as a hatter. It was not long, however, until he was called from his shop to assume the auditorship of the county, he being the first incumbent of the office by virtue of election. In 1824 he was appointed clerk of the courts. He was afterward elected to the same office, and served seven years. During the same period he was also recorder of the county a number of years. While a resident of Hardin he was appointed postmaster of the village, this being the first appointment within the county. He also held the same position in Sidney after his removal to that town. He thus occupied some position of honor and trust from 1823 until about 1840. These honors, too, were all merited, for as a public-spirited citizen he had no peer in the new townships, and was accorded the honor of naming one, which he denominated Dinsmore, in memory of Governor Dinsmore, of his native State. He was a leading and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, in which order he was zealous, kind, and charitable. It was his last request that he be buried by the Masonic order, and that the old flag, beneath which he had fought, should rest upon his coffin as an evidence of his devotion to his country. Such are the leading incidents in the public life of this pioneer, who did his full share toward the development of the infant county of his adoption. As hs name appears throughout the county records during a long period of years, it is unnecessary to refer at greater length to his public services. The records attest the worth of the man, for they tell of the confidence reposed in his character and ability by the people who knew him best. It only remains to add he was born April 3, 1785, and married Sarah Wilder December 27, 1809. She was born in Keene, New Hampshire, February 28, 1780, and died July 18, 1857. Mr. Wells, after an active and useful life of about seventy-eight years, passed away September 15, 1863.
James Allen Wells, eldest son of James and Sarah Wells, was born in New Hampshire October 6, 1812, during his father’s absence in the army. His parents coming to this county when he was about eight years of age, he obtained his education in the schools at Hardin and Sidney. Under Daniel Hopkins he studied surveying and entered the practice of this profession in 1830. In 1833 he was elected clerk of the courts, in which office he served seven years. He also held the office of county surveyor during two terms. He made the first survey on the Bellefontaine and Indianapolis (C. C. C. & I.) Railroad, which was made within the State of Ohio. In 1881 he ran a line which he had established in 1830, and found a magnetic variation of but two degrees. Having devoted over fifty years to this profession it may be safely said there are few men in the State, and no others in the county, who have established an equal number of survey lines. Like that of his father his name is found identified with the formative period of the county, and occupies a conspicuous place in the official roster. On the 4th of July, 1838, he married Sarah R. Robinson. They reared six children, named Frances A., Sarah R., Sylvester S., Emma, Ella, and Charles Robinson. Mrs. Wells, after an active and useful life, died at her home in Sidney in 1876.
Sylvester S. Wells, the eldest son of James A. Wells, was born in 1844. Married Sarah C. Estey in 1864. Their family consists of four children: Lillie A., Dacy J., William A., and Charles A. April 23, 1883, while Mr. Wells was oiling the gearing of a windmill erected in his barn, his clothes were caught by a revolving shaft, and before he could be released he was killed. His remains were interred in Graceland Cemetery, followed by one of the largest concourses of mourning friends and neighbors ever witnessed in Sidney. He was beloved and respected by all who knew him.
Charles W. Wells, the third son of James Wells, was born January 24, 1818. When a young man he studied civil engineering, which he put into practice in after life. He was the engineer on the B. & I. Road during its construction from Versailles to Union City. He also was engineer on several others throughout the country. He was elected as clerk of the court, and also represented Shelby County in the General Assembly of the State. He was prominent in the public affairs of the county during his life. He married Mary Goode, a daughter of Dr. Goode. They had but one child born, Azel W. Mrs. Wells died soon after the birth of her child. Mr. Wells died November 20, 1864.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883