Elisha H. Wells

ELISHA H. WELLS, a justice of the peace, and a well known farmer, in North township, Labette county, Kansas, has for many years been one of that county's most active workers. He was born in Edgar county, Illinois, in 1842, and is a son of E. and Jane (Elledge) Wells.

E. Wells, the father of Elisha H., was born in Kentucky, in 1807, and his wife was born in that state in 1811. They reared the following children, namely: Albert; Kiley; Angeline; Clarissa; John; Elisha H.; Isabel; Martha; and Elijah.

Elisha H. Wells was reared and schooled in his native county, and at all early age began to learn farming. He left Illinois when he was twenty-four years old, and moved to Labette county, Kansas, where he settled in Neosho township. There he farmed until 1872, when he moved to North township, and bought his present home, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 36. There he has carried on general farming ever since. He is a thorough, conscientious worker, and has been very successful in his occupation. He is well informed on all matters pertaining to agriculture and his advice is often sought in regard to such subjects.

Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Mary Slane, who was born in Cincinnati, in 1850. She is a daughter of A. and Mary (Bradford) Slane. Mr. Wells and his wife have been blessed with the following children: Ida, deceased; Edgar, a mailing clerk at Parsons, Kansas; Bertha; John; Anna; Ethel; Leon; and Ray. Edgar attended the normal school at Fort Scott for three years.

Mr. Wells is a stanch Democrat, in politics. He has been trustee of Neosho township two terms, and is at present a justice of the peace. He ran for the district clerkship on the first Democratic ticket voted in Labette county, which was in 1866. He belongs to Parsons Lodge, No. 48, Modern Tontines. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church.