Individual Details
James Walter Wells
(27 Jan 1879 - 5 Oct 1960)
Mount Vernon Register News, Mount Vernon, Illinois, Wednesday, October 5, 1960, Page 1, Col. 2: Dr. J. W. Wells of Waltonville Dies At Age 81. Funeral Friday For Prominent Physician and Community Leader. Dr. James W. Wells of Waltonville died at 2:10 a.m. today at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon of a heart attack. He was 81 years of age. His funeral will be held Friday afternoon at Fry's Chapel in Waltonville, at 2 o'clock.
Dr. Wells was a prominent figure in community life of Waltonville and Jefferson county for many years. He was the first mayor of Waltonville, served on the town board a number of terms and was a member of the Board of Education of the Waltonville grade school for several terms.
He also served as a member of the Jefferson county board and was Supervisor from Bald Hill township at the time the new Jefferson county court house was built.
Dr. Well was born at Waltonville January 27, 1879, the son of John and Laura A. (Bravard) Wells. He was married in 1912 to Bertha Blanche Hartley, who died in 1914.
In 1918 he was married to Melissa Ann Kirkpatrick, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Dr. Charles K. Wells of Mt. Vernon; three daughters, Mrs. W. Carl Allen, of Rantoul, Mrs. Knox Hirons of Waltonville, and Capt. Helen Wells of Minneapolis, an Air Force nurse; one sister, Mrs. Bertha Eater of Mt. Vernon, and five grandchildren.
Dr. Wells attended Ewing College and Barnes Medial College at St. Louis. He served in World War I with the Medical Corps. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Jefferson-Hamilton Medical Society. He had been honored with membership in the 50-year club of the state society.
Dr. Wells was a member of the medical staff of Good Samaritan Hospital and was an advisor to the Jefferson County Department of Public Welfare. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Masons.
His funeral will be conducted by the Rev. N. D. Motzer of Mt. Vernon and the Rev. T. A. Shafer, pastor of the Methodist church of Waltonville. Burial will be in Knob Prairie cemetery north of Waltonville. The body will lie in state at the Fry chapel after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Dr. Wells was a prominent figure in community life of Waltonville and Jefferson county for many years. He was the first mayor of Waltonville, served on the town board a number of terms and was a member of the Board of Education of the Waltonville grade school for several terms.
He also served as a member of the Jefferson county board and was Supervisor from Bald Hill township at the time the new Jefferson county court house was built.
Dr. Well was born at Waltonville January 27, 1879, the son of John and Laura A. (Bravard) Wells. He was married in 1912 to Bertha Blanche Hartley, who died in 1914.
In 1918 he was married to Melissa Ann Kirkpatrick, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Dr. Charles K. Wells of Mt. Vernon; three daughters, Mrs. W. Carl Allen, of Rantoul, Mrs. Knox Hirons of Waltonville, and Capt. Helen Wells of Minneapolis, an Air Force nurse; one sister, Mrs. Bertha Eater of Mt. Vernon, and five grandchildren.
Dr. Wells attended Ewing College and Barnes Medial College at St. Louis. He served in World War I with the Medical Corps. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Jefferson-Hamilton Medical Society. He had been honored with membership in the 50-year club of the state society.
Dr. Wells was a member of the medical staff of Good Samaritan Hospital and was an advisor to the Jefferson County Department of Public Welfare. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Masons.
His funeral will be conducted by the Rev. N. D. Motzer of Mt. Vernon and the Rev. T. A. Shafer, pastor of the Methodist church of Waltonville. Burial will be in Knob Prairie cemetery north of Waltonville. The body will lie in state at the Fry chapel after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Events
| Birth | 27 Jan 1879 | Waltonville, Jefferson Co., Illinois |  | ||
| Marriage | 20 Mar 1918 | Waltonville, Jefferson Co., Illinois - Melissa Ann Kirkpatrick | | ||
| Death | 5 Oct 1960 | Jefferson Co., Illinois | | ||
| Burial | Knob Prairie Cemetery, Waltonville, Jefferson Co., Illinois | |
Families
| Spouse | Melissa Ann Kirkpatrick (1888 - 1984) |
| Child | Charles K. Wells (1920 - 1996) |
| Child | Dorothy Wells (1921 - 2001) |
| Child | Helen Wells (1924 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Kirkpatricks of Southern Illinois, by Paul Mabus--- received April 9, 1999.
2. Find A Grave.
3. Kirkpatricks of Southern Illinois, by Paul Mabus--- received April 9, 1999.
4. Find A Grave.
5. Find A Grave.