Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameJack Wells 
Birth18 Jun 1893, Marion Co, IA
Census12 Jun 1900, Dallas Twp, Marion Co, IA
Memoroll# 447, pg 19
Census19 Jan 1920, Dallas Twp, Marion Co, IA
Memoroll#501, pg 14
Census22 Apr 1930, Dallas Twp, Marion Co, IA
Memoroll#668, pg 10
Census4 Apr 1940, Knoxville, Marion Co, IA
Memoroll#1181, pg 3
Death25 Dec 1969, Marion Co, IA
BurialPleasant Ridge Cem, Knoxville, Marion Co, IA
FatherJohn M. Wells (1825-1908)
MotherElizabeth Helmer (1856-)
Never married
Misc. Notes
Cemetery records list his birth birth as 12 Jun 1891, but the Social Security records list it as 18 Jun 1893, which I have used (see 1895 census data) since it also agrees with the 1895 and 1900 census.
He is listed as Jack Hedinger, age 2 in the 1895 Iowa Special Census and his mother listed as Elizabeth Wimmer (39) divorced and born in PA. They were in the household of John M. Wells. He apparently was born an illegitimate son and changed his name to Wells as a young man.
1900 Census for Dallas Twp, Marion Co, IA lists him as Jack Helmer in the home of John Wells as a boarder (age 6) going to school, both parents from Iowa.
He is listed as Jack Wells (17) in 1910, as a farm laborer with the Carter family. Still living with them in 1920 as a section hand on the ranch road, along with his half brother Griff. In 1930 he is listed as head of household as a farmhand, and has Griff living with him and listed as his brother.
In 1940 he is listed as an inmate of the County Farm in Knoxville, and it states that he had been there since before 1935. It says his native language was German (from his mother), and that he only completed the 4th grade.
He was apparently well accepted by his father, as the older son, Griffith was left out of the will. His death record lists John Wells as his father and Elizabeth Helmer as his mother. He is buried with the rest of John Wells’ family and was listed in his father's will as Jack Wells. He never married.
[Obituary] Marion County Newspapers - 1970
Funeral services for Jack Wells, who died Dec. 25 were held in Dec. from Flanagan - Mosher Funeral Home with Rev. Grover Branson officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
Casketbearers were Tom Rankin, Everett McVey, Joe Conrad, Tom Leavengood, Duane Conrad and Raymond Conrad. Mrs. Intha Bucklew was organist.
Jack, son of John and Elizabeth Wells was born June 12, 1891 in Marion County and lived on the family farm near Melcher until retiring. He had been a resident of the Rankin Custodial home. His parents and brother, Griffin preceded him in death. Survivors include a half-brother, Clyde Welch, who lives in California.
He is listed as Jack Hedinger, age 2 in the 1895 Iowa Special Census and his mother listed as Elizabeth Wimmer (39) divorced and born in PA. They were in the household of John M. Wells. He apparently was born an illegitimate son and changed his name to Wells as a young man.
1900 Census for Dallas Twp, Marion Co, IA lists him as Jack Helmer in the home of John Wells as a boarder (age 6) going to school, both parents from Iowa.
He is listed as Jack Wells (17) in 1910, as a farm laborer with the Carter family. Still living with them in 1920 as a section hand on the ranch road, along with his half brother Griff. In 1930 he is listed as head of household as a farmhand, and has Griff living with him and listed as his brother.
In 1940 he is listed as an inmate of the County Farm in Knoxville, and it states that he had been there since before 1935. It says his native language was German (from his mother), and that he only completed the 4th grade.
He was apparently well accepted by his father, as the older son, Griffith was left out of the will. His death record lists John Wells as his father and Elizabeth Helmer as his mother. He is buried with the rest of John Wells’ family and was listed in his father's will as Jack Wells. He never married.
[Obituary] Marion County Newspapers - 1970
Funeral services for Jack Wells, who died Dec. 25 were held in Dec. from Flanagan - Mosher Funeral Home with Rev. Grover Branson officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
Casketbearers were Tom Rankin, Everett McVey, Joe Conrad, Tom Leavengood, Duane Conrad and Raymond Conrad. Mrs. Intha Bucklew was organist.
Jack, son of John and Elizabeth Wells was born June 12, 1891 in Marion County and lived on the family farm near Melcher until retiring. He had been a resident of the Rankin Custodial home. His parents and brother, Griffin preceded him in death. Survivors include a half-brother, Clyde Welch, who lives in California.