Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 616.
 
JOHN R. WELLS

     is well known in Gilliam county. The fact that he has held the block in all
the important auctions in the county for some time, makes him better acquainted
than the ordinary individual. He resides about a mile northeast from Condon.
where he owns two hundred acres of valuable land and also handles two and
one-half sections of land to crops in addition. He raises considerable stock and
is a thrifty and well fixed man.
     John R. Wells was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, on February 16, 1871.
His father, John R. Wells, was born in Kentucky, and when twenty-five years old
removed to Illinois. There he followed harness making. When the Civil war broke
out he enlisted in a company at Sterling, Illinois, and led a band all through
the struggle, serving his country well.  He became a wealthy man before his
death, which occurred in March, 1883. He married Miss Anna H. Reynolds, a native
of Ft. Wayne. Indiana, the wedding occurring in Illinois. She came to Oregon in
1886, with her family, making settlement in the Willamette valley, where she
lived until 1900, when she came to this part of the country. She took a
homestead and has given her attention to supervising the improvements on it and
to teaching, which occupation she has followed for twenty-two years. She is a
highly educated lady and has made a good record as a teacher. She was
superintendent of the Home of the Friendless in Springfield, Illinois, for a
number of years. Our subject received his education in Sterling, Illinois, and
in 1886 came to the Willamette valley with his mother. After he arrived at
manhood's estate he commenced farming and stock raising, and that has been his
business principally since that time. Mr. Wells also learned the art of butter
making and was an expert at the business. In his younger years he was a foot
racer and won many prizes. In 1897 he came to this vicinity and took a
homestead, and since then he has continued here.
     Mr. Wells married Miss Susie Stevenson, born June 29, 1882, in Indiana, and
the daughter of James G. and Eliza Stevenson, natives of Indiana, and
Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively. By a former marriage Mr. Wells has two children,
Bessie M. and Almond V.  Mrs. Wells is a highly educated lady and has taught
school for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have the confidence of the people,
and he has labored with display of enterprise and industry here which have been
rewarded with a good possession of property. He and his wife are valued members
of society and have won many friends.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.