Gustavus Vassa Wells (1808 - 1894)

Born 22 Jun 1808 in Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 25 Sep 1894 at age 86 in Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Gustavus was born in 1808. He passed away in 1894.

Newspapers

1894-Sep-28, "Marengo Republican-News"

GUSTAVUS V. WELLS

A Prominent and Honored Citizen Passes Suddenly Away. -- Brief Sketch of a Long, Useful Life.

Gustavus V. Well, for many years known among us as "Squire" Wells, long a prominent and influential citizen of this town, was found dead in his bed Tuesday morning, Sept. 25th. He had been in feeble health for a few years past, suffering from rheumatic ailments and dropsical tendencies, but of late had been feeling much better. He was on our streets Monday afternoon calling on some of his old friends, in good spirits and cheerful as was his wont. He retired at his usual hour, after a pleasant visit from his son, Walter C.. Not arising at his accustomed early hour, Mrs. B. O. Mead (who with her family occupy part of his house and provide his meals) stepped to his room and called him to breakfast, and receiving no response, she opened the door, and saw from his position that there was something wrong with him. She stepped across the way and notified the son, who came with her, and on entering the room, he was found to be dead; and from the appearance of the bedclothes, which looked as if he had just drawn them over him to go to sleep, he had evidently died soon after retiring. The tidings of his death sped quickly through our city and caused a deep sensation of sadness, for he was a man very much loved and respected by all classes.

The fumeral was held Thursday afternoon in the Opera House, which was filled with a large and sympathetic audience. Rev. C. W. Thornton came from the Methodist Conference at Galena, to officiate. The sermon was from the text, "Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age." and was full of comfort to the bereaved friends, and a fitting eulogy on the life and character of the deceased.

At the cemetery the burial services were under the auspices of Marengo Masonic Lodge, assisted by brethren from abroad, and were witnessed by a large audience. The grave as lined with evergreen, with flowers interwoven and the mound of fresh earth was also covered with evergreen on which reposed the motto in white, "At Rest." In this beautiful, quiet home, so nearly a symbol or type of the quiet life of the deceased, his brethren of the Mystic Tie deposited the body with the solemn and impressive ceremonies peculiar to the Masonic Order, to rest until the dawn of the Resurrection morning.

The active pall-bearers were Masonic brethren - Geo. Samter, P. S. Griffith, S. B. Gardner, P. T. Parkhusrt, H. W. Richardson, S. K. Bartholomew.

The honorary pall-bears were R. M. Patrick, O. P. Rogers, J. C. Irvine, F. W. Patrick, A. Sisson, Wm. Blanchard, Alfred Patrick, Jos. Dalby of Huntley -- representing officers and stockholders of the First National Bank, with which deceased has been so long identified.

Messrs. J. T. Beldin, A. J. Boyington and J.S. Rogers, Justices, represented the Justices of the Peace.

The singing was by a double quartette consisting of Mesdames M. McKee, N. V. Woleben, B. O. Mead, J. E. Gavey; Messrs. N. V. Woleben, M. McKee, J. B. and Dwight Babcock; Mrs. D. A. Read, pianist.

Gustavus V. Wells was born in Lorraine, Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 22d 1808, and was therefore 86 years and two months old at his death. his father died in the State of New York at the age of 33, when Mr. Wells was but five years old. His mother died in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. at the age of 87. His wife died a few years ago in this city. Her served an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was married to Miss Matilda Warner in Dec. 1829. In 1832 he moved to Geauga Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming, clearing up timber land etc., until the spring of 1858, when he moved to Marengo (where his son, Walter C., had preceded him two years) and has since lived here and been identified with our interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells were born three children. A daughter, Josephine, died at the age of ten. Walter C. and Marian B., wife of R. A. White) are highly respected citizens of our city. Mr. Wells was the last of his father's family.

In 1862, Mr. Wells was elected Justice of the Peace in Marengo, and held the office for 26 years, declining a re-election at last, on account of his advanced years. On the organization of the First National Bank of Marengo in 1870, he was elected its President, and served 13 years, when he resigned. He was afterwards elected Vice President, and served as such up to the time of his death.

He has been prominently identified with the interests of our town and city, and has served repeatedly as President of the Board of Trustees, also as Trustee, Town Clerk and Village Clerk, discharging the duties of his respective offices with marked ability and fidelity. He administration of the office of Justice of the Peace for so many years, though often of a perplexing nature, was characterized by a spirit of candor and fairness, justice tempered with mercy when circumstances seemed to demand it, a readiness to uphold the majesty of the law, and to administer equal and exact justice to evil-doers and violators of the law. His opinions and advice were much sought after, and oftentimes led to the amicable settlement of matters that otherwise might have caused needless litigation and ill-feeling.

Mr. Wells was mad a Mason in Ohio in 1836. On coming to Marengo he affiliated with Marango Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was always a great lover of the mystic art, a warm friend of the Order, and faithful in attending the meetings. He served repeatedly as Master of the Lodge, and held the office of Treasurer 18 years. He was also a member of the Lansing Chapter, No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, and served as High Priest several years, always filling these honorable an responsible offices with dignity and skill, manifesting that true fraternal courtesy and regard for his brethren that entitled him to, and which he always had, the warm love and respect of the Craft.

As a citizen, Mr. Wells was exemplary in every respect. Public spirited, active, enterprising, progressive; he cheerfully co-operated with is counsel and money to promote the prosperity and well-being of our city; every good cause found in him a warm earnest friend. Quiet, yet eminently social and kind to all, especially to the unfortunate, he enjoyed the good will and sincere respect of all, and those who knew him intimately, loved and respected him most. He enjoyed life and he society of friends, and lived not along for the present but with reference to the life beyond. Realized that his years had been prolonged to an unusual degree, retaining also his physical strength and mental vigor remarkably, there was much in life whey he should desire to live, yet he expressed entire readiness and willingness to go at any time, and hoped that when the Master called him he might answer the call just as he did. And thus he passed away, "Like one who draweth the drapery of his couch around him and lieth down to pleasant dreams;" full of honors, and of years. A good man has gone to his long home, a long, useful life has closed.

Mr. Wells commenced life at the "bottom of the ladder." By patient industry and hard work he accumulated enough on the farm to come west with a very moderate capital. Here by prudence and careful investment of his means he prospered year by year, and leaves a property of some $18,000. This with the exception of some minor bequests to relatives, will be divided according to the terms of his Will, between the two children.

As a token of respect, all the business houses in the city were closed during the funeral ceremonies. ^[1]

1902-Dec-5, "Marengo Republican-News"

... Mr. Wells was married in December, 1829, to Miss Matilda Warner, the daughter of David Warner. and they had three children as follows: [[Wells-15382|Walter C., born at Sinclairsville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., January 16, 1831; Marion B., born in Lake County, Ohio, March 23, 1836, and married Robert A. White, who is now deceased; and Josephine, born October 9, 1844, and died at the age of ten years.

Originally a Universalist in religious belief, he was a generous contributor to other churches without regard to sectarian views or opinions, and in his later life was an attendant upon the services of the Methodist church. During the civil ware he was a zealous supporter of the Union cause, and heartily approved of the enlistment of his only son, remarking that otherwise he would have gone himself.

A. B. Coon, who served as Provost Marshal in McHenry County for 2d Dist. during this period, had his office with Squire Wells. By virtue of his position as an officer of the State militia while a resident of New York, he was widely known before coming to Illinois as Captain Wells. Mr Wells' death occurred at Marengo, September 25, 1894, at the age of eight-seven years. ... ^[2]

Sources

Census

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXQN-W6Z : 12 April 2016), G V Wells, Madison, Lake, Ohio, United States; citing family 348, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXC3-VXD : 13 December 2017), G B Wells, 1860.

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6H6-W44 : 12 April 2016), G V Wells, Illinois, United States; citing p. 8, family 70, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,756.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXVF-2L5 : 19 August 2017), Gustavis U Wells, Marengo, McHenry, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district ED 142, sheet 189D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0228; FHL microfilm 1,254,228.

Death

Find A Grave: Memorial #47638044

Children's Death

"Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N318-DG7 : 27 December 2014), Gustav V. Wells in entry for Marion B. White, 11 Dec 1922; Public Board of Health, Archives, Springfield; FHL microfilm 1,557,035.

Footnotes

1. ↑ "Marengo Republican-News, (Marengo , Illinois), 1894-Sep-28, page 4, https://www.newspapers.com/image/191454112/
2. ↑ Marengo Republican-News (Marengo, Illinois), 1902-Dec-5, page 4, https://www.newspapers.com/image/191471888/