Wells, Emma J. (Benefiel) 1856-1898

WELLS, BENEFIEL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/15/2005 at 08:32:14

Funeral of Mrs. N. A. Wells

In the death of the wife of Hon. N. A. Wells, which occurred on Thursday morning of last week, March 10th, our community has lost one of its most valued and highly esteemed women one who was not only dearly loved by those in her immediate neighborhood where her noble Christian character was best known, but as far as her acquaintance reached.

This was fully attested by the large attendance of friends at the funeral in the First M. E. Church Friday afternoon. On every face was depicted the personal sorrow, which her death had wrought. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers and about the altar and pulpit were handsome floral tributes from loving friends.

The services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. Elias Handy, who from a full heart paid eloquent tribute to the pure life and good works of Mrs. Wells who had stood by him so faithfully in the work of the Church, Sabbath school and Epworth League. Appropriate music was rendered by Miss Mabel Edwards, Mrs. Geo. Allen and Messrs. H. L. Wilson and Fred Hough, with Miss Grace Russell as organist.

A delegation from the Iowa Legislature, with whom Mr. Wells had served, were present and occupied seats within the chancel; they were Messrs. Bailey of Sioux County, Parker of Mills, Jay of Adams, Miller of Warren, Boyd of O’Brien, Powers of Jasper, and Van Houten of Taylor; the latter, who had been a warm personal friend of Mr. and Mrs. Wells, assisted in the services. The pallbearers were Messrs. Wm. Charlesworth, Jas. Vance, Lee French, Chas. Charlesworth, Geo. W. Shelley, E. J. Talbot, Geo. Feas and Merritt Charlesworth. The friends from abroad were Mr. and Mrs. Griggs, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Barrett and Mr. Wells’ mother of Davenport, and Dr. and Mrs. Hall of Rock Island.

The Rebekah Lodge, of which deceased was a member, occupied the center of the church and had charge of the services at the cemetery.

Mrs. Wells maiden name was Emma J. Benefiel. She was born in Port Louisa, this state, June 2, 1856, and moved with her parents to Davenport in 1870, where in 1875 she was married to Nelson A. Wells. The following year they removed to Crawford County and lived until 1886 and then came to the present beautiful home in Palo Alto Township. She had been a devoted member of the M. E. Church from her childhood.

She leaves besides her husband five children to mourn the loss of a most tender, loving mother ­ Wm. B., a cadet in the naval academy at Annapolis, Md., Leonard, Shelley, Edith and Mattie. Also her aged father, Wm. Benefiel, who has made his home with her for several years. To the husband, children and father the sympathy of all is extended in the great sorrow, which has come to them. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, March 17, 1898