- HENRY WELLS, one of the self-made men of the county, and
a leading farmer, residing on
- section 7, Plymouth Township, was born on the 27th day of
January, 1830, in Kent, England. His parents, John and Susan
WELLS, had a family of eleven children, of which he was fourth
in order of birth, and eight of that number are yet living: John,
who resides in Center Township; James, who is living in Kent,
England; Susan, who is also a resident of Kent; Henry, of this
sketch; George, who is living in Plymouth Township; Betsy, who
makes her home in Kent; William, now residing in Kent; and Charlie,
whose home is in London.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in his native
land, was educated in the public
- schools, and while yet a resident of England was joined in
wedlock with Miss Eliza KITTLE, a daughter of George and Mary
(LITTLE) KITTLE. The family to which she belonged, and of which
she was second in order of birth, was composed of the following
members: Harriet, who is now residing in England; Mrs. WELLS,
wife of our subject, born Nov. 7, 1833; George, a resident of
Kent, England; David, who is located in Texas; Cornelius died
in 1872; Edward died in the eighth year of his age; Henry is
now living in California; Thomas died in the sixth year of his
age; Mary Ann is residing in Kansas City, Mo.; Charlotte is living
in Footville, Wis.; and John, who is a mason and plasterer, is
located at Plymouth.
- Not long after his marriage, Mr. WELLS, accompanied by his
young wife, bade good-bye to the
- land of his birth, and sailed for America, thinking that
he might better his condition by a removal to the new world.
On the 9th of December, 1855, the vessel, "Tap Scott,"
on which he embarked, sailed for America, and after a long voyage
of nine weeks landed in New York Feb. 1, 1856. At once proceeding
by land, he reached Janesville after seven days and three hours
more of travel, arriving at his destination on the 1st day of
March. He then had but ten cents in his pocket, but with characteristic
promptness both Mr. and Mrs. WELLS at once devoted every energy
go the work which they secured in order to gain a home. For two
weeks the husband was employed at the stonemason's trade by John
WATSON, when he and his wife began working for Oliver ELMS, and
later came to Footville, where Mr. WELLS secured work on the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall he worked at harvesting
and in the winter was engaged on the construction of a saw-mill
for Mr. GILBERT. That season, by the aid of his estimable wife,
he was enabled to save $100, with which he purchased a yoke of
oxen in the following spring, and worked the GILBERT farm on
the shares. The following season he worked the farm of Robert
KNOTT. In 1858 he sold his ox team and purchased a span of horses,
and the next season also rented the KNOTT land. In the spring
of 1860 he removed to the farm of Mr. WILSON, in Rock Township,
where he remained one year, and in 1861 cultivated the farm of
Dan LOVEJOY, near Janesville. In the meanwhile the country had
become enveloped in a great war, and in the summer of 1862 Mr.
WELLS was drafted into service, but was unable to go. He again
engaged in farming, but the war brought on hard times, and it
was found very difficult by our settlers to make ends meet. In
the spring of 1865 he was again drafted, but before called into
active service hostilities were at an end. He then removed to
the farm on John CARROLL, where he lived for one year, and in
March, 1866, removed to his present home, on section 7, Plymouth
Township. His first purchase consisted of 150 acres of land,
but now 230 broad acres pay tribute to his care and cultivation.
The entire improvements at the time of his purchase could hardly
have been valued at $50, but the farm is now one of the most
highly improved in the community. In the early days the little
cabin was in such poor repair that during the hard rainy weather
they were often obliged to hold an umbrella over them. At that
time corn sold for eighteen cents per bushel and oats for thirteen
cents. In one season Mr. WELLS raised 1,400 bushels of oats,
which he sold for that price. Not only did his wife, who has
indeed proved a helpmate to him perform all the labors of the
house, but she also assisted in the out-door work. At one time
she husked $1,000 bushels of corn, receiving for her labor the
small compensation of but two and a half cents per bushel.
- Mr. and Mrs. WELLS are the parents of six children, four
of whom are living: Jane, the eldest,
- born June 25, 1856, married William DOBSON, and died May
12, 1886, leaving four children - William, George, Fanny and
Alice; Henry, born April 7, 1858, died at the age of three years;
George, born Dec. 5, 1860, is living at home; William, born March
27, 1862, is residing on the home farm; Alice, born July 27,
1871, is still with her parents; Charlie, born Aug. 12, 1874,
is now attending school. Mr. WELLS has given all his children
good educational advantages, thereby fitting them for useful
and responsible positions in life. He and his wife are members
of the Disciples Church at Footville, and in politics, since
the organization of the Republican party, he has been a supporter
of its interests and an active worker in its behalf. He is held
in high regard as a citizen and friend, and receives the respect
of all with whom business or pleasure has brought him in contact.
His life is an example of what can be accomplished by industry,
perseverance and integrity, and is well worthy of emulation.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 939-941.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|