Pvt. John H. Wells

Pvt. John H. Wells

Co. C  49th Mass. Inf.

       From the Post #49 Files
Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 May 18, 1886.

       Obit: Jan. 5, 1904 issue The Elgin Daily News.

   After a short illness, John H. Wells, of No. 27 Hill avenue, died yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock, at the home of the mother of Mrs. Wells, on Michigan avenue, Chicago.  The deceased was well known in Elgin and highly respected.  For twenty-three years he was employed in the flat steel department of the watch factory and for a number of years in the press room.  For some time past has been a traveling salesman.

   The deceased leaves a widow, Mary E.L. Wells, and one son, George, not now a resident of Elgin.  He was a member of the first Congregational church and has a large circle of friends who mourn his loss.  The remains were brought to Elgin this afternoon at 5 o'clock and the relatives and friends of the family arrived at 2:30.
   The funeral will be held on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from his late resdence.

           Obit; Jan. 6, 1904 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
      The remains of John H. Wells, who died Monday morning at 4:50 at the home of relatives on Michigan avenue, Chicago, were brought here yesterday afternoon and taken to his residence on Hill avenue.  Mr. Wells was 62 years old and was born in Cheshire, Massachusetts.  He was a member of the Grand Army and also of the masons.  At one time he was leader of the choir of the First Baptist church and afterwards held the same office in the First Congregational, of which he was a member.
      About ten years ago Mr. Wells began his field of work for the Independent Order of Mutual Aid and since then has been successful in his work in that line.  Previous to that time, he was employed in the Elgin National Watch factory, where he remained until starting his work for the Mutual Aid.
      Mr. Wells leaves a son, George Wells, in Ohio, and a cousin, E. Hoxie, in Elgin;  also three sisters, Mrs. W. N. Meeker, Los Angeles, Mrs. Robert Montgomery, Windsor Locks, Conn., and Mrs. Edgar Aldridge, Dalton, Mass., and tow brothers, Henry Wells, of S[ringfield, Mass., and Oscar Wells, Palmer, Mass.  Mrs. Wells is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Borden and was formerly of Dundee.
      The funeral will be held at the house Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, after which the remains will be carried to Dundee for burial.  Rev. Pollock will officiate.

   From the Dundee Township cemetery records;
      Civil War Veteran, Pvt., Co. C, 49 Mass., died 1904.
      Inscription; John H.l Wells, 1841 - 1904
      Location, Section 1, Lot 11.
      

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.