Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameEzra Howard Wiggins
Birth5 Sep 1829, Dixon, Wyoming Co, PA
Census15 Aug 1850, Washington Twp, Wyoming Co, PA
Census30 Jun 1860, No Towanda, Bradford Co, PA
Memoroll#1080, pg 450
Census29 Jul 1870, Wysox Twp, Bradford Co, PA
Memoroll#1312, pg 687
Census6 Jun 1880, Plains, Luzerne Co, PA
Memoroll#1150, pg 93
Census15 Jun 1900, Clinton Twp, Wyoming Co, PA
Memoroll#1500, pg 8
Death13 Nov 1909, Carlisle, Cumberland Co, PA
BurialDixon Cem, Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co, PA
OccupationFarmer, Teacher
FatherJohn Wiggins (1798-1875)
MotherDorcas Howard (1803-1893)
Misc. Notes
He was a farmer, and later a Teacher.
He lived with the family of Eliza Vosburg (sister) in 1850 and was listed as E. J. Wiggins (21), a farmer. First marriage in 1852 to Meroa Roena Cowels (Mary).
He is listed in the 1860 census for N. Towanda, PA with Mary (28, PA), his future wife.
On 10 Oct 1860 he enlisted in Company C, 57th Regiment, PA volunteers and was discharged 19 Dec 1863.  Reenlisted Dec 20, 1863, discharged June 29, 1865.  He left three fingers on the battlefield and suffered all the years after the war from hernia, which was caused by an accident in the war. Ezra's Civil War record lists his living children, their names and dates of birth. Darward was listed first and then Minnie, and it states that "Minnie Brink was adopted I think September 1866, Bradford Co, Penna."
In 1870 he is listed in Wysox, PA as a farmer (41, PA) again with Mary (39, PA), his son Darward (16), and Minnie E. (5).
Ezra is apparently listed as D. S. Wiggins in the 1880 census for Plains, Luzerne Co, PA with his (future) second wife Mary and 15 year old daughter Mamie. It is noted that he had only one arm. It is unknown why he listed himself as his son - maybe because Mamie ( her name was actually Minnie) was out of wedlock and he was being a stinker. It is not certain if in fact she was Ezra's daughter or an adopted daughter --- or both.
Ezra then married Mary Ellen in 1886, and she died a year later in chldbirth of twins. She left a will with Ezra as beneficary. It was land and a house at Miners Mills Luzern Co.
He then married Mahala A. Wiggins in 1890, who was supposedly a 3rd or 4th cousin. She died in 1899 and left a will with him as beneficary. it was all of the household and money. in 1900 he was widowed and living alone in Wyoming Co, PA.
He was really hard on wives! He was married three times and all died before him.  He was a member of Sodi Lodge, No. 670, IOOF of Luzerne Co. He lived in Burlington and Wysox, PA where he met with an accident by which he lost one hand. After the death of his last wife, he went to Iowa and spent about eighteen months there. 
He is buried in the Dixon cemetery with his parents.
Spouses
Birth9 Oct 1837
Death20 Sep 1854, Wyoming Co, PA
BurialPail Factory Cem, Bradford Co, PA
Misc. Notes
She died 20 Sept 1854 at age 17y 11 mo 11 days (as stated on her headstone) in childbirth with Darward and an unnamed twin boy. She is buried in Pail Factory Cemetary.
Marriage1852
ChildrenDarward Sebastian (1854-1915)
Birth1831, Pennsylvania
Death1887
Misc. Notes
Ezra married Mary Ellen Johnson in 1886, although it appears he had been living with her since before 1860. Before they were married, her daughter Minnie was living with them and may have been Ezra’s daughter or was adopted by him.
Mary died in childbirth with twins, and they had also lost another set of twins several years earlier. She left a will with Ezra as beneficary. It was land and a house at Miners Mills Luzern Co.
Marriage1886
Birth1853, Tioga Co, NY
Death1899, Pennsylvania
FatherGeorge W. Wiggins (1811-1874)
MotherEliza Pollyana "Polly" Reed (1817-1899)
Misc. Notes
Since the name is not common and this is the only Mahala in the family, it is probable that she was named after her cousin (Gertrude's mother).
Supposedly a 3rd or 4th cousin to her husband Ezra (but looks more like 1st). She died in 1899 and left a will with him as beneficiary - it was all of the household and money.
Misc. Notes
Supposedly a 3rd or 4th cousin to her husband Ezra. She died in 1899 and left a will with him as beneficary. it was all of the household and money.
Marriage1890
Last Modified 9 Jan 2016Created 5 Aug 2023 using Reunion on a Mac