The last son of Richard "Tidley" Wells and Jane "Jinney" Brown, John Wells was born on 10 December 1799 in Madison County, Kentucky, probably on Otter Creek. The Wells family were involved in the western migration and went to the Pike County, Missouri and Pike County, Illinois area before it started to branch out in many directions.
It was in Pike County, Missouri, some time around 1820 that John married Sarah "Sally" Edwards, the daughter of Andrew Edwards and Anne Merrifield. The Edwards family had also originally arrrived in Illinois from Kentucky. Sally had been born 7 January 1803.
John Wells was a wheelwright/carpenter by trade, so tended to spend his life moving up and down the Mississippi River area. From the time of his arrival on the Mississippi, he resided until about 1827 in the Pike Co., Missouri area, then moved across the river to Pike Co., Illinois.
John again decided to relocate and by 1840 moved to the Apple River area of Jo Daviess County. There he was involved some with the mining of lead and probably had some sort of farm. Some of his children were born during the time he resided in Jo Daviess County.
The children of John and Sally Wells were:
Joshua Kerr born 1821 married #1 Cassellender Lykins and #2 Elizabeth M. Gayett.
Andrew born 1824 married #1 Amanda Hill, #2 Eliza Ridgeway and #3 Martha A. (Reibor) Benefield
Ruth born ca. 1842
Nancy Jane born 1830 married William Lynn
Joel D. born 1836 killed at Battle of Stone River, Tennessee in Civil War
George Milton born 1839 married #1 Virginia Melvina Parkins #2 Lydia R. Blackweller
Harriet born ca. 1845 married William S. Emert
Mary "Polly" born ca 1827-28 married William C. Conlee
How many years John Wells stayed in Jo Daviess County is not know for certain. He may have gone to Logan County, as his wife, Sally died there on 15 October 1852 and is buried in Turley Cemetery.
John eventually re-married to Mary Jane Craft, nee Oldham on 12 January 1860. She was the widow of Moses M. Craft. They resided in Belleview, Calhoun County, Illinois. She died in 1875. John died on 15 April 1876 probably in Belleview.
It is not known for certain, but it is thought that John is buried in the Perry Wells Cemetery in Pike County, Illinois close to the grave of his brother Richard Wells III.
LETTER FROM JOHN WELLS AND WIFE, SALLY, TO SISTER RUTH AND HUSBAND, RICHARD KERR:
Nov. 28th, 1848
Dear Brother and Sister,
I am again in the family circle and have just taken my penn in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know that I have reached home in safty and found all usually well which is our favor____________________________ renewed obligations to God for his unspeakabel blessings towards us. I hope these lines will find you all well. I reached the upper rapids on Friday 2 o"clock, traveled 10 miles and put up at a tavern. Here I was overtaken by one of my old neghbours formily Adams (in Adams Co.) that I had not see for 14 years. He was travling in a 2 horse waggon and light. I had a plesant ride with him within 7 miles of home which I reached on Sunday evning. My journey on the whole was as pleasnt as I could expect at this seison of the year. I have not seen much since I returned home that is worth writing about. We have just had a snow storm, not yet verry cold. Has some appearnce of clearing up. I have been to the digings whurr I dug last summer and expect to again in a few days if all is well. If my luck is good I'd set to dig 5 or 6 wks minerals bearing a good price and we have mineral to begin on so that I hope to do well. We have not heared anyuthing from Joshuy and Andrew, only that Joshua got in from a heavy snowstorm. We are looking for Andrew down. It is verry healthy at this time. Wheet 45 cts., corn 121/2, oats about the same, pork 2, beef 2 to 2.50.
Wure I here to understake to explan to you the exercise of my mind during the short visit with you, I should come shor. The events that you have been formiliar with all the while. Was all as it was all pored upon ________________________________
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neighbors the changes that have taken place since my last vcisit to Missouri quite overcomes me so that my pleasure was mixed with grief. I would not have you think that I had no pleasure with those that is left. The friendly recption that I met with, the respect shown me, I shall never forget. The ride that I had to Brother Georges with my old sister is one of the circumstance that I shall long remember. To see my friends all doing well in temper all afairs, and so many engaged in preparing for a better world gives me great satisfaction. To think of our high privilege and high interest of that should never be forgoten as it respects religon. There seems to be a great stagnation but I hope for the better. You will see from thee peace, that I have give. That would be dull heire if it was not for the mine run and lead in this country which is some degree makes up fore the disadvantge we have in Kade. Our railroad is underway from the lake which will give us an outlet for our wheet and other trade.
We have had a letter from David Crow (?) near Carthage. They was all well. The jentleman that I road with from the rapids had just been to Adams. Our friends there are generally well tho many deaths since __________________________________
me it had been verrry sick in Adams. I do not know that I have any thing more interesting to write about. I wish to answer all the friends in your settlement of Six Mile. I will write to Missourie. I wish you to write soon direct to Elisabet JO DAVIESS, ILL.
I remain your brother til death.
John Wells
Sally Wells
This letter (a copy) was sent to me many years ago by Martha Egelston, (now many years deceased), who was a great-great grand daughter of Johua Wells, brother to my great-great grandfather Andrew Wells. Both were sons of John Wells and Sarah "Sally" Edwards.
( Charlott Wells Jones )
