Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wells, Willard B. 1898
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Ionia Daily Standard, 19 Jan 1898

Passed Away at Battle Creek, This Morning.

A Public Career Identified With Ionia County Comes to a Close.

A telegram received from Dr. O. R. Long, announces the death at Battle Creek, 
this morning, of Judge Willard B. Wells.

Judge Wells was born in Otsego county, N. Y., March 25, 1828.  He came to 
Michigan while a youth, and worked on a farm near Fallassburg, in Kent county.  
He early manifested an ambition to attain an education better than that 
afforded in the rural schools, and by hard work clearing land and on the farm 
obtained the funds for a course of study at Prattsburg and Lima, N. Y., and at 
Oberlin, O.

He commenced reading law in the office of Blanchard & Bell, in 1853, and after 
four years’ study during which he taught school several terms, he was admitted 
to the bar.  He was a successful practitioner, but his line of special success 
was in politics.  He had an unassuming and genial way that made him popular 
with all classes, and he was not destitute of adroitness in the use of the 
advantage secured by his undoubted popularity.  He served as county clerk, 
prosecuting attorney, and for eight years as judge of probate, and performed 
the duties of these positions in a faithful and competent manner.  He was 
appointed consul to Rotterdam, Holland, in 1881, under Garfield.  He remained 
there about one year, and was then transferred at his own request to Dundee, 
Scotland, where he remained three years, returning to Ionia in 1885.

Judge Wells found it difficult to settle down to business in his old home, and 
after remaining here a year or two, he moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he 
invested heavily in timber land and a logging railroad.  This has been his home 
since, although he has made frequent extended visits here, and when his health 
seriously failed, he came here a few weeks ago, in hopes of obtaining relief.  
He went to Battle Creek only a few days ago, and was taken much worse on 
arrival there, sinking rapidly until the end.

Deceased was three times married: First, in May, 1858, to Miss Nancy Davis, of 
Otisco, who died a few months after marriage.  In October, 1861, he was married 
to Ellen A. Hatch, of Chatauqua county, N. Y., who died Aug. 23, 1874.  In 
1882, he came home from abroad, and was married in New York to Miss Sarah Long, 
of Williamsport, P., a sister of Dr. O. R. Long, of this city, who remained 
with him during the three years of his stay at Dundee, and who survives him.

By his second wife, Judge Wells had three children: Ben, the oldest, died 
several years ago, after the removal of the family to Washington; Morris is now 
in Washington looking after the business interests there.  Nantie, the only 
daughter, is the wife of Fred L. Wagar, whose home is now in Alabama.

Judge Wells’ investments in pine lands in this state were fortunate, and he 
left here on his removal to Washington with a comfortable fortune.  He had 
invested in recent years quite heavily in southern pine, and leaves a valuable 
estate.

He was a type of pioneer character that must ever remain dear to us; ambitions 
and thrifty, but with a whole-souled comradeship that made him many friends.  
He was widely read and a most entertaining conversationalist, and old friends 
will recall many pleasant hours spent with him, as they muse sadly over a past 
which his death recalls.

The remains are expected to arrive here this evening.  Date of funeral will be 
announced later.

Ionia Daily Standard, 20 Jan 1898

In the hastily written sketch of Judge Wells, yesterday, an error was made in 
the name of the wife who survives him.  Her maiden name was Long, but she was a 
widow at the time of her marriage with Judge Wells, and her name was Mrs. S. P. 
Pennell.  The error was evident to all who are well acquainted with the family, 
but is none the less annoying.

Ionia Daily Standard, 9 Aug 1898

Pioneer Meeting

The next is Willard B. Wells.  He was born in Hartwick, Oswego county, N. Y., 
March 25, 1828; came to Ionia county in 1853.  He was a prominent man in this 
community.  He was called away January 19, 1898.


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