In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1897) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1830
From The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; (1882), Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897)
WILLIAM WELLS, farmer, P. 0. Yandalia, was born May 16, 1830, in this township, and has never lived out of the county. He remained at home on the farm with his parents until twenty-two years of age. His first purchase was twenty-seven acres, for which he paid $675, or $25 per acre. At the time he bought it (1854), it was all timber, but by hard labor and economy acre after acre has been added, until now the home contains 267 acres in a high state of cultivation. In 1873, he built a fine residence and other substantial improvements have been made. The valuation today is about $23,000, and it is situated on the “ New Troy Turnpike,” one mile north of Vandalia. This is one of the model farms of the county. He married Miss Nancy, second daughter of William Sunderland, May 25, 1852. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living — Ellis E., William S. and Charley H. The first named married Miss Emma Clemmer, October 23, 1879. Mr. Wells has been a member of the School Board nine years, and both he and wife have been consistent members of the United Brethren Church for twenty years.
DeLAFAYETTE WESTERMAN, general county store and proprietor of Eagle Hotel. Vandalia, was born in this township December 28, 1844, and has spent most of his life here. He received his education in the public schools; remained with his father until fourteen years of age. His mother died when he was but eight years old, which necessitated the dissolution of his father’s family, hence his leaving home at such an early age. When eighteen, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, lie returned home, and spent several years working on a farm as a hired hand. From this time until 1868, he followed the occupation of clerk in a dry goods and grocery store, at Chambersburg, soon after which he engaged in mercantile business at Chambersburg, and in 1869, he removed his store to where we now find him. He carries a general assortment of goods and keeps the only hotel in the place, and is worth $4,000. Leaving home so young and accumulating this amount with no assistance shows both good management and sound judgment. April 18, 1868, he married Miss Fannie E. Shiffert, of Madison County, Ky. Four children are the result of this marriage, two of whom are still living — Nellie L. and Lorena G. Mr. Westerman is a courteous gentleman, and one of the most enterprising business men of Vandalia.
As printed in The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ILLIAM WELLS, whose post-office is Vandalia, Ohio, is one of the most substantial farmers of Butler township, Montgomery county. His father, Samuel Wells, was born in Virginia, and became an orphan in early life. From his seventh year, in which he lost his parents, he was reared by his uncle, Samuel Wells, who came to Ohio when his nephew Samuel was still quite a small boy. This uncle settled near the north line of Montgomery county, and here young Samuel grew up among the pioneers. Receiving only a limited education, he became a farmer at an early age. He married Mary Johnson, and they settled in Butler township, on seventy-three acres of land, then covered over with woods. This land Mr. Wells cleared and made a good home and productive farm. His children were as follows: Rebecca, Mary, Nancy, Sarah and William. Mr. Wells took a deep interest in religious matters, and was a member of the Christian church. He was a highly-respected citizen, and lived to the good old age of eighty-seven.
William Wells, the subject of this sketch, was born May 16, 1830, on the Wells homestead in Butler township. Receiving the usual common-school education of his day, he was brought up a farmer, an occupation which he has followed all his life. On May 22, 1850, he married Nancy Sunderland, who was born March 25, 1832, in Butler township, on the old Sunderland homestead.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wells settled on the farm on which they have since lived, beginning on twenty-seven acres of land, all of which was covered with timber. This farm Mr. Wells cleared up, and, by continued hard labor and thrift, at length added thereto until to-day he owns a farm of 327 acres, all of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Wells is a republican. He is one of the most practical and able farmers of Butler township, as is shown by the growth of his possessions. He is emphatically a self-made man, and, aided by his faithful wife, he has achieved deserved success. Their children are as follows: Ellis E., William S. and Charles H.
Ellis E. married Emma Clemmer. William S. married Laura Brentlinger, and has one child, Irene. Charles H. married Cora Beeson, and has one child, Ralph. The three brothers are all farmers upon the home place.
The Wells family is one of the pioneer families of Butler township, and stands high in the community. By industry they thrive, and by right living they win the respect of all their neighbors.
As printed in Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Samuel Wells (b. 1798)
Their biographies name William Wells: G. Russell Wells (b. 1830)
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.