His birth is listed as Jul 1886 in the 1900 census at age 13, and the IGI lists his birth as 18 July 1887; while his WWI Draft registration states his name as Robert Lester Wells Jr. and gives a birth date of 18 July 1889, but lists his age as 29 in June of 1917! Funeral home records list his birth as 18 July 1886, and says he was born in Monmouth.
His Draft registration was written on 5 Jun 1917 in Moumouth, IL and says that he has a wife and 3 children, was working for a pipe company, and living on So. 3rd St in Monmouth.
In 1920 they were living in Matherville, Mercer Co, with Robert L (31, IL) listed as a fireman at the power house, with Edna V (25, IL) and children Edna M (10), Ruth C (6), Dorothy I (3 10/12), and Gertrude V (1 6/12).
Married and had 6 children. Listed in 1930 census on South O St in Monmouth, IL with his own home, age 41 as a plowshop merchant.
Children: Edna M. (19), Ruth K. (15), Dorothy I (14), Gertude V. (11), Robert L. (10) and Neva J. (8 mos - Melba?).
Listed in Monmouth in 1940 with his wife (47), son Robert (19) and daughter Melba Jean (10) working as a truck driver in the farm industry.
His WWII Draft registration lists him as Robert L. Wells and his birth as 18 Jul 1889 in Roseville, IL. He is living in Monmouth, IL and lists his next of kin as brother Elmer, also in Monmouth.
His home was 1102 South D St, where he resided 36 yrs, before moving two months before his death to 623 West Harlem. He worked for Pattee Plow Co for 30 yrs.
His funeral was handled by the Turnbull Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. John Kern. Pall bearers were Gerald Kelly, Jack & Bruce McCrery, Robert Paulsgrove, Melvin Talley and Earl Lantz. At the time his family consisted of:
Mrs Edna M. Jones - Galesburg
Mrs Ruth Frazier - Crete, IL
Mrs Dorothy Jones - Monmouth
Mrs Gertrude Redding - Monmouth
Mr. Robert W. Wells - Monmouth
Mrs. Melba Widener - Monmouth
a sister, Mrs Ruth Jones - Washington, DC
a brother Mr Joe Wells - Oklahoma City
15 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.