Biography of Dr. John T. WELLS (1881)

contributed by Karen Zach:

source: History of Fountain County, Indiana by H.W. Beckwith (Chicago: H.H. Hill and N. Iddings, 1881) - page 328:

Dr. John T. WELLS, practicing physician, Veedersburg, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana in 1849, and is the son of Balam and Pernetta (HOLTSCLAW) Wells; the former a native of North Carolina, and emigrated to Hendricks County in 1832. The latter came to Montgomery County then to Hendricks. Balam Wells died in 1874 aged 73 and his wife lives in Hendricks County. John T. was educated in the common schools of his home county and in the Danville Academy. At the age of 17 he began the profession of school teaching which he followed five years, one year of which time he was principal of the Danville schools. During the time he was engaged as teacher he occupied his spare moments in reading med. with Dr. CTC Cloud of Pittsboro, Hendricks County, Indiana. He then entered the College of Physicians, Indianapolis. From 1874 to 1876 he was traveling evangelist in the Church sect denominated by the Christians or Disciples. In 1876 Dr. John T. began the practice of medicine in Veedersburg, where he has remained with the exception of 13 months that he practiced at Steam's Corner. In 1877 he was married to Mary STEVENS, daughter of Dr. Robert and Abigail Stevens, the former a native of New York born in 1810 and died 1873. The latter born 1819 is still one of the living landmarks of Fountain County. By this marriage he has one child, Robert. His wife, like himself is a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of both secret orders, Masons and IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] at Pittsboro, Indiana. He has a good practice, which in the past 4 years has amounted to $12,000. The Dr. resides in Sterling; in politics he is a Republican. The advent of the Wells family to America was in 1702 by 3 brothers who came to this country, landing in what is now the state of Massachusetts. One settled in NC, one in West Virginia and the other remained in Massachusetts. Dr. Wells is a descendant of the one who remained in Massachusetts. It is supposed that all the Wellses in the United States are descendants of these 3 brothers.