Obit: Wells, Richard (1828 - 1909)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: WELLS, VAN WORT, COLGROVE, BROWN, BUTLER

----Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 06/19/1909

Wells, Richard (12 SEP 1828 - 14 JUN 1909)

Richard Wells, whose death occurred at his home in this village (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) at 10 o'clock last Monday morning, was born in Truxton, Cortland Co., N.Y., Sept. 12, 1828. He moved with his parents to Ohio in 1833, and in 1838 they moved to McHenry Co., Ill. Mr. Wells remembered driving through Chicago when that city was but a small town.

In Jan. 1855, Mrs. Wells, then a young man, came to Jackson Co., Wis. with his uncles, the elder Houghtons, and helped them to make a home for their families in the wilderness. At this time he homesteaded the farm known as the Henry Harvey place in Houghtonburg. He returned to Illinois, and on New Year's Day, 1862, was united in marriage with Miss Marion Butler of Marengo. To them were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Wells died on Dec. 26, 1882, and in March 1883, Mr. Wells married Miss Lydia Van Wort. They moved to this vicinity in the fore part of March 1888, purchasing a farm two miles north of town. About four years ago the family moved into the village and have since made it their home.

Mr. Wells was converted in early life and lived a devoted Christian life. He was a leading member of the Free Methodist Church, uniting with that body in 1880. For the past few years he has been totally blind, which affliction he bore with fortitude. Last fall he received a pension from the county, which is given to those suffering with a like affliction.

For the last six months he was entirely helpless and was confined to his bed, during which time he was an uncomplaining sufferer.

The funeral services were held at the late home of the deceased at 1 o'clock and at the F. M. Church at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. W. H. Good preaching the sermon to a large congregation of friends and neighbors. The remains were taken to Marengo, Ill., Wednesday night and interred Thursday in the family plot in the cemetery at that place.

Mr. Wells leaves to mourn his death his wife, one son, Oscar B., two sisters, Mrs. Joshua Colgrove of this place, and Mrs. Charlotte Brown of Marengo, Ill., and many other relatives and friends.