Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameJames G. Wells
BirthAug 1838, Decatur Co, IN
Census25 Aug 1850, Clay Twp, Decatur Co, IN
Memoroll#142, pg 33
Census1 Jun 1860, Miller Twp, Scotland Co, MO
Memoroll#646, pg 0
Census14 Jun 1870, Prairie Creek Twp, Logan Co, IL
Memoroll#248, pg 231
OccupationFarmer
FatherRichard Wells (~1770-1840)
MotherElizabeth Mary Handy (1805-1854)
Misc. Notes
He and his younger brother Elijah were under the guardianship of Samuel G. Daily from Jan 1854 thru 1859. Those records indicate that his birthdate is in July or August. From the $837 in his estate, Samuel bought 100 Ac in Cass Co, IA for $600 - 50 Ac of prairie and 50 Ac of timber 5 miles from Lewis, the county seat and 2 miles from the railway under construction between Council Bluffs and Fort Des Moines.
Married Sarah Purdy -- and went from Ind. to eastern IL via Mo.
Listed in the 1860 Missouri census as a farmer (22, IN) with is wife, Sarah (22, IN) and their 2 month old daughter, as well as his brother Elijah (21, IN).
He apparently served in the 16th Illinois Infantry, based on his pension record.
They moved to Illinois by 1870 when he is listed as 30 and they have 5 children, as well as a hired hand and his wife’s sister Isabel Purdy (20, IN) living with them.
He filed for a Civil War pension in Illinois in 1884, and his widow filed for benefits in Iowa in 1927.
Spouses
Birth29 May 1839, Indiana
Misc. Notes
Daughter of Isaac Ambrose Purdy (1815-1845) and Hannah Quint Elliot (1815-1855), married 1835 IN.
She is listed (11, IN) with her siblings in 1850, James A. (13), Minerva (9), and Isabel A. (6); living with her mother Hannah (35, KY) remarried to Jacob Shafer (52, KY) on 10 Mar 1847.
Listed as 22 in 1860 and age 29 in 1870, when her sister, Isabel Purdy (20, IN) is living with them.
She was living in Iowa when she filed for her widow pension benefits in 1927.
Marriage16 Dec 1858, Decatur Co, IN
Marr MemoBook H, pg 525
ChildrenAnna E. (1860-)
 James A. (1863-1946)
 Mary C. (1866-)
 Isabel (1868-)
 Jacob (1869-)
Last Modified 19 Nov 2022Created 5 Aug 2023 using Reunion on a Mac