Married Martha Jane Richey and lived in Greensburg area of Decatur Co, IN.
He is listed in Washington Twp, Decatur Co in 1860 as Samuel Willis (23, IN) a farmer, married to his wife Martha (20, IN). He enlisted in the Union Army and was inducted on 20 Oct 1861 as a Private in Indiana E Co. 37th Inf Volunteer Reg. He was mustered out at Indianapolis, IN on 27 Oct 1864. His granddaughter Gladys Woods (daughter of Jennie) said he was a prisoner in Andersonville, but he is not on any list there. Perhaps he just passed through, bad record keeping or at another prison.
He is listed in 1870 census for Adams Twp as a farmer (33, IN) with is wife and children - William (10), Oliver (8), Jennie (5) and Richard (2). A John Powers (73) was also living with them, possibly a hired hand.
In 1880, they have 3 more children, all living at home.
In 1900 they are living in Shelbyville, with daughter Mary and granddaugher Nellie Woods.
He and his wife are listed in the 1910 census for Shelby Co, IN where he is listed as age 73 and a farm laborer with his wife Martha (69), daughter Mary (38) and granddaughter Dorothy (6). It says that 7 of their 8 children were living.
He died of Tuberculosis at age 77.
[Obituary] Shelby Democrat - 23 Apr 1914 news
Wells, Samuel: age 77 yrs 3 months 18 days vet of Civil War 3 yrs, 1 month 15 days was in Co. E, 37th IND VOL 4 sons: Oliver, Morgan, Richard & William daughter: Mrs. Ed Mann buried: Forest Hill Cemetery.
[Obituary] The Shelbyville Democrat - Tuesday 21 April 1914, Pg 1 col 5
Samuel Wells, 77 years, three months and 18 days old, a well known and highly esteemed resident of the southern part of the county, died at his home in Waldron at nine-ten o'clock this morning, from tuberculosis of the lungs. He had been in failing health for the past year, but did not take to his bed until he had gradually grown weaker until there was no possible chance for his recovery from the ravages of the dread disease.
Practically all of his life had been spent in this county. He formerly lived at Boggstown and is well known in Sugar Creek, Brandywine and Hendricks townships. He moved to Waldron with his wife about five years ago, where he has since resided.
Mr. Wells was a veteran of the Civil war. He fought bravely for his country for three years, one month and fifteen days, at the expiration of which time he mustered out and was given an honorable discharge. He was in Company E, 37th Indiana Volunteers.
Deceased was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church, being a member of the church of that faith at Waldron. He was a good Christian man and he will be sadly missed by his large circle of friends.
Besides his aged wife he is survived by four sons: Oliver, Morgan and Richard, of this city and William, of Monroe County and one daughter, Mrs. Ed Mann, of this city. The bereaved family will have the sympathy of the county in their great hour of sorrow.
The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon in the Adventist church at Waldron, the Elder T. A. Hubbard, of Anderson officiating, and the interment will be made in Forest Hill cemetery in charge of Stewart & Fix.