WELLS, Alvin Thayer - 1890 Bio (1828-1907)

WELLS, ALDRICH, WEBBER, MATTHEWS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/3/2007 at 12:22:46

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 286-287

Alvin Thayer WELLS holds the position of Librarian and Treasurer of the Fairfield Library Association, and no one is more widely or favorably known throughout the community than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Springfield Township, Erie County, Pa., December 26, 1828, and is a son of Aaron and Betsy (ALDRICH) WELLS. On both sides, the geneological (sic) records trace the families back to the Mayflower. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ezekiel WELLS, was a native of New Hampshire, a farmer by occupation and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Having married, he removed to Erie County, Pa., and lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Aaron WELLS was born in the Granite State. He was twice married, his first union being with Betsy ALDRICH, by whom he had a family of five children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. Mrs. WELLS died and was interred at Fairfield, Iowa. Subsequently Mr. WELLS returned to Pennsylvania, married Mrs. Clarissa WEBBER, and again came back to Fairfield, where he resided a few years, but once more he returned to his Pennsylvania home, and there died at an advanced age, his wife surviving him about one year. On his removal to Pennsylvania from New Hampshire, Mr. WELLS engaged in farming, becoming one of the well-to-do citizens of the neighborhood, taking a prominent part in local affairs. In his politcal affiliations he was a Whig, while he and his wife were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their home was open for the reception of all the pioneer preachers, who never failed to receive a hearty welcome.

The early life of Alvin T. WELLS was such as to bring out all the determination and self-reliance in him. His was not an easy boyhood, but the lessons of industry and frugality which he learned, have no doubt been important factors in his success in after life. He was forced to share in the arduous labors of clearing a timbered farm and his early education was acquired in the district schools. However, he afterwards spent two years in Kingsville Academy, and his business training was received in a mercantile establishment, where for some time he was employed as a salesman. In 1850, at the age of twenty-two years, he started for California, going down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to old Ft. Carney, whence his party, consisting of himself and five companions, started with mule teams across the plains. One the way one of their number died of the cholera, and another was drowned while crossing the Platte River. After journeying for one hundred and eleven days, they at length reached Placerville, and during the next two years Mr. WELLS engaged in mining, after which he returned by the Panama route and, like "Sinbad, the Sailor," was somewhat enriched. In 1853 he went to Illinois where he occupied the position of salesman in his brother's drug store. The following year he came to Fairfield where he opened a drug store, doing business in that line for himself for some four years. He then joined his brother in the manufacture of patent medicines in Chicago, but after a year's partnership his brother died, and Mr. WELLS continued the business alone for some two years longer, when he removed to Fairfield. Shortly afterwards he discontinued operations in that line, and, in 1862 was made Librarian of the Fairfield Library, a position he has held continuously since. At odd times he works at the carpenter's trade which he picked up in early life, but devotes the greater part of his attention to the interests of the library. For the last six years he has been Treasurer of the Fairfield Library Association. His memory is certainly remarkable for, although the library contains over eleven thousand volumes, he can put his hand on any book desired without consulting a catalogue.

In October, 1860, Mr. WELLS was united in marriage with Martha L. MATTHEWS, a native of Johnstown, Pa., and a daughter of John MATTHEWS, who came from Pennsylvania to this county with his family about 1855. After remaining three years, however, he returned to the Keystone State, where he and his wife spent their last days. It was during the residence of the family in Jefferson County that Mr. WELLS formed the acquaintance of the daughter and their friendship ripening into love, he went to Johnstown to claim his bride. By their union were born five children, three of whom are yet living; one having died in infancy, while the death of Kate occurred in her seventeenth year. William M. is now employed as a salesman in a dry goods house of Fairfield; Mary E. is at home, and Thomas S. is with the American Express Company.

Politically, Mr. WELLS is a Republican, having supported that party since casting his first vote for Fremont in 1856. He has been connected with the Odd Fellows society for thirty-five years, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Though not an office seeker, he has held the offices of Township Assessor and Clerk. He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land situated two and a half miles south of Fairfield, which, like his other possessions, has been acquired through his own efforts. He may truly be called a self-made man, as his success in life is due entirely to his industry, enterprise, and good management, He deserves much credit for what he has done for the advancement of the library's interests and all recognize his worth and faithfulness as a librarian. Besides purchasing three hundred shares of library stock, he has done a vast amount of work for nominal pay.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.