Horatio Wells, deceased, a pioneer of Whiteside County, and formerly a resident of Como, was born in Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass., April 10, 1796, and was a son of Samuel and Electa (Bascom) Wells, both natives of the Bay State. He was reared to agriculture, his father's farm lying contiguous to the vil1age in which their residence was located. In 1821 he married Sarah Swan, who was born in Greenfield, May 30, 1800, and was a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Wait) Swan, also natives of that village. Mr. Wells resided upon the farm of his mother-in-law two years, when he purchased a farm in Deerfield, lived there a few years, then bought a farm in Heath and occupied it a short time, and then moved to Athol. While a resident of the latter place before the day of railroads, he was engaged in hauling goods between that place and Boston with a six-horse team.

In the fall of 1836 he started with his family for the great Prairie State, then the distant West, coming by way of Troy, the Erie Canal, Buffalo and the lakes to Milwaukee, where he hired a conveyance and brought his family to Sterling. In the spring of 1839 he settled upon his claim at Round Grove, built a log cabin and commenced making improvements. He made that place his home until 18??, when he moved to Como, where he lived in retirement until his death, in 1874. His wife survived until 1878. They were members of the Congregational Church. They had a family of ten children, five of whoin are now living, viz.; Samuel, who lives in Ransom Co., Dak.; Sarah Louisa, widow of William McDearmon; Horatio, a resident of Mercer Co., Ill.; Carrie, wife of Charles Tobey, and residing in Adams Co. Iowa.

Portraits & Biographical Pg 633

Horatio Wells was born April 10, 1796, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and made his claim at Round Grove in 1838. He married Miss Sarah Swan, who was also a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, February 6, 1821. Their children were: Samuel, born September 24, 1824; Sarah, December 9, 1826; Louisa, May 26, 1831; Horatio, February 28, 1834; Charles J., August 3, 1836; Caroline, May 26, 1840; .Joseph W., August 7, 1843, and two who died in infancy. Charles J. died September 22, 1872, and Joseph W. in September, 1848. Martha married Russell Lockwood, who died in 1863. Samuel married Miss Mary Jen­nings. Louisa married William McDearborn, January 23, 1861; children, Horatio, Louisa, Arthur, and Edith. Horatio married in December, 1872; chil­dren, Clarence. Caroline married Charles Toby, March 10, 1870; children, Marshall W., and Grace E. Mr. Wells made most of his journey from Massachusetts, with his family, to Whiteside county, "prairie schooner" fashion. He was one of the few men who engaged., prior to the building of railroads, in the transportation of goods from Boston to the interior and western part of Massachusetts. This was done in wagons drawn by six horses, over the mountamS, and required as much skill, and presence of mind as are necessary to handle a ship in a storm, or a train of cars over a bad railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Wells celebrated their golden wedding a few years ago. Since then Mr. Wells has died..

Bent-Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877