William P. Wells, Jr.

William was listed as a Jr in the will papers of his father William Sr. In a hand written note found in the file: Heirs to the estate of Wm Wells Deceased Wm Wells Jr.

He also signed his name as William Wells Jr in the probabte papers of his uncle Barton Wells.

Executive Record - 1860-1861 Jefferson County, ILJustices of the Peace in Jefferson County: William Wells, Jr. Elk Prairie Precinct

Jefferson County, IL Marriage Register, 1820 - 1861, Listing of "O" Surnames, marriage for Enoch Osborn, Sept. 21, 1861 performed by Justice of the Peace, Wm Wells. Marriage for William C. Osborn, Nov. 7, 1858 performed by Wm P. Wells, Justice of the Peace.

Perrin's History of Jefferson County, IL Biographical Record of William Wells, pg 142, states William was born in Giles County, TN, September 16, 1813, a son of William and Elizabeth (Livingston) Wells. Subject was the third of nine children. In 1819, his father went with his family to Lauderdale County, AL and there William attended subscription school some. In 1825, the father again moved, this time to Jefferson County and settled in Mt. Vernon Twnshp. He was one of the first settlers in that neighborhood, where he, however, remained only about three years and then moved to Wolf's Prairie, McClellan Twnshp, where he resided until his death, which occured in June 1865. After subject came to this county, he also attended the subscription schools of his township. His first teacher was old Ned Maxey. Another teacher was a young man of the name of Bee, who afterward was county judge. William Jr. remained at home until he was 25, then starting out in life for himself, immediately sttled on his present farm. Of the whole, there are about 350 acres in cultivation, about 4 acres in orchard. Mr. Wells was married, in Jefferson County, Feb. 14, 1838, to Lucy Farthing, a native of Madison County, KY, and a daughter of William and Sarah Farthing. This union has resulted in ten children, of whom eight are living. Mrs. Wells is a member of the Campbellite Church. Mr. Wells has served as Justice of the Peace eight years, Road Supervisor, School Director, etc. In politics, he is Democratic.

Obituary of William Wells, Jr, ILGenWeb site, Jefferson County, IL, Mt. Vernon News, Thursday, April 21, 1887: WILLIAM WELLS This venerable pioneer died at his home in Elk Prairie, last Friday morning, April 15, 1887 in the 74th year of his age. The Wells family has been so promnent in the southwest quarter of the county as to deserve more than a passing notice. The grandfather of the deceased removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Montgomery County Kentucky, at a very early day. His family included 5 sons and 3 daughters.Two of the sons remained in Kentucky, one came to Illinois and died in Pike county, where the other two removed to Giles County, Tennessee. These were William and Jonathan, William had married a Miss Livingston in Ky., a sister to John Livingston, so well known to old citizens of Mt. Vernon. In Giles county, William a son of William Wells was born September 16,1813. In 1819, William Wells removed to Lauderdale county, Alabama. In 1823 Jonathan Wells came to this county, and stopped in a cabin west to where Ben Bullock lives 3 or 4 miles west of Mt. Vernon. Then he lived on the creek above the old Tolle mill place, then located in Wolf Prairie, where he died Aug. 21, 1869 in his 79th year. His children were Green Beery, who married Susannah Maxey, a daughter of Jack Maxey, Nov. 15, 1832, by whom had two sons, Stephen L. and John W. and 3 daughters, one of whom, the wife of Calvin Ireland, went Oregon--G.B. taking for his second wife Phebe Allen, the daughter of Rhodam Allen, Aug. 10, 1846, by whom he had 3 sons and 3 daughters--Littleman, who married Susan Hays, Feb. 1 1837, and after her death, Clarentine, daughter of Green Scott, and went to Ark;--Jerusha, wife of Carroll Dare, mother of Simon and 3 girls;--Jonathan , who married Elizabeth C. Keller went to the Mexican war, came back and died;--, Polly Ann, who married Edward Carter, Aug. 24, 1841;--Lucinda, wife of Jas.G.Davis;--William; and Joseph and James T., who married Mickleberrys. Joseph dying in Arkansas. William Wells Sr., came from Alabama in 1823, rented land of John Wilkerson near Old Union one year, lived two years near Rhodam Allen and Isaac Hicks two miles west of Mount Vernon, and in 1828 settled in Wolf Prairie. Here he became a prominent man, filling the office of magistrate and other positions of public trust: and died June 2, 1865 in his 82d year. He and his brother Jonathan were leading Methodists. The following were his children: Polly was the wife of Reuben Crosno, and mother of Jos. H., John S., Chas. B., Pueblo K., and Samuel W. Suda was the wife Clinton S. Davis and mother of Jasper, William A., ex-superviser, co. treasurer, etc., John and Pickney. William was the oldest son and third child. John married Sarah W. Jarrell, sister to Richard C., died 1842 and his widow married David Moore. Barton married a Carter, both now dead, leaving a son, Barton C., now chairman of the board of supervisors and a daughter, the wife of Lorenzo Cunio. Tabitha married Habe Carter and died--her son, Ed, still living. Pinckney married Nancy E. Ford, April 17, 1853, after her death married the widow of A. J. Watson, and went to Texas. Henry married Jane Osborn, June 1, 1846, and Newton died single. Uncle Billy, who has just passed away, was educated in the subscription schools and the log school houses of his day; Rev. Edward Maxey being his first teacher in Illinois. He was married to Lucy Farthing, Feb. 22, 1838. She was a daughter of Wm. and Sarah Farthing, and a native of Madison county, Kentucky. Soon after marriage, Mr. Wells erected a log cabin on public land, almost on the very spot where he died, and without waiting to finish, even so much as hang the door, shutters, he moved into it. It was handy. He killed deer, wolves and other game without going out of doors, resting his gun in the cracks of his cabin. But in this wild place his industry acquired and developed a farm of nearly 500 acres--now reduced by advancements to his children. Of his children, one or two died in childhood. Elizabeth was the wife of Joseph Dial, whose death is noted in this issue, but has no children. Thomas married Elizabeth Hays and lives in McClelland. John W. married Susan C. daughter of Philo Gilbert. Harvey married a Guthrie, and after her death a Farthing; is a prominent teacher, a preacher of the Christian order and was the Prohibition candidate for school superintendent in 1886. Mary is the wife of Thomas Puckett of Blissville. Newton married a Loman; Edward, a daughter of Green H. W. Lynch; Jonathan or Doc., a daughter of Rev. J. N. Brown; and Joseph married a daughter of Gilbert W. Hays, and lives in Spring Garden township. As a man, a citizan,a neighbor, Elk Prairie has had none that stood higher than William Wells. Eight years he served as justice of the peace; and indeed most of the time, til age caused him to decline, he continued in some office of responsibility. He was not connected with any church, but carried through life the rigid adherence to right that he learned in that strick school of primitive Methodism, his father’s house. His widow and most of his children are of the Christian denomination, and people of quiet and exemplary lives. His remains repose in Hickory Hill burying ground.

Mt. Vernon News Thursday April 21, 1887