This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: audiorij Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.california.counties.sanjoaquin/3161/mb.ashx Message Board Post: James William Wells Birth: Apr. 30, 1844 Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA Death: Feb. 7, 1921 Manton, Tehama County, California, USA Son of Hiram Wells and Nancy (Kelly) Wells. Fought for the Union in the Civil War, 18th Illinois Infantry, Co D. Discharged Apr 28, 1862. He was a Baptist preacher and school teacher. Married Mary Ellen Walker (14 Nov 1875 Pine Grove, Amador, CA) and had three children; Elene Ilene Wells who married Alvin Hansen and secondly Joseph Francis Arnol, Ernest Alvin Wells who married Elsie May Cunningham, and Winona L Wells who married Perry E Vilas and secondly Samuel Aaron Kenoyer. The Reverend James Wells was married a second time to Martha E Daily (18 Dec 1903 San Francisco, CA) , who he later divorced. ------------------ The ministerial directory of the Baptist churches in the United States of America By George William Lasher Published: Ministerial directory co., 1899 Wells, James, Plateau, Calif. - Born, Farmington, St Francois County, Missouri.; Studied at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky..; Licensed Feb. 20, 1867, Ordained May 24, 1872, Caldwell's Spring Church, Caldwell County, Kentucky; Pastor Macedonia and Emmaus; Pine Grove, Shasta County, California; Ione, Amador County, California; Biggs, Butte County, California; Plateau, San Mateo County, California; Gervais, Marion County, Oregon; Virginia City, Storey County, Nevada. ------------------ History of San Joaquin County, California with Biographical Sketches Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA - 1923 CHAPTER XXIII POST AND RAILROAD TOWNS, pg 286 The Ripon Finch Murder "Probably the greatest sensation in Ripon was the killing of Philip Finch by the Rev. James Wells, December 12, 1884. The cause was a difficulty of long standing and seems that in the eastern states Finch had seduced Wells' half-sister. Wells came to California and located at Ripon and Finch followed and obtained work in the warehouse; at one time he boarded and lodged with the Wells family. Just previous to the shooting it was reported to Wells that Finch had threatened his life. Wells at this time was teaching the Ripon schools on the main street, located where now stands the First National Bank. About 4 o'clock on the day of the murder, Finch was walking towards the schoolhouse and some of the men on the street remarked, "Now there'll be trouble." As Finch came near the schoolhouse Wells came out of the building and walked up to Finch. After a short talk, those watching the affair saw Wells draw a revolver and shoot at Finch four times. Two of the shots took effect and Fi! nch was taken into John T. Bloomer's store. He was attended by Dr. B. M. Bainbridge but died shortly afterwards. As two of the witnesses of the murder John B. Matthews and Thomas Fredericks ran to the scene, Wells exclaimed, "I am sorry I had to shoot you, boy, you have been following me for years. You seduced my sister and this morning you insulted my family." Sheriff (Thomas) Cunningham hearing of the murder by telegraph hastened to the scene, arresting Wells and bringing him to Stockton jail. Wells was indicted by the Grand jury for murder, and his trial came up February 25, 1885, in the Masonic Hall as the old courthouse had been condemned as unsafe. He has sold his little house in Ripon to pay his attorneys, James A. Louititt and Wm. Dudley. The prosecuting was represented by the district attorney, Ansel Smith, assisted by Joseph C. Campbell. The jury went to their room on the evening of February 28, and the following morning reported that they could not agree, standin! g seven to five for acquittal. At a subsequent trial Wells was acquitt ed." ----------------------- Red Bluff Daily News, 8 Feb 1921 Rev. James Wells Taught In Many Schools Of County The funeral of Rev. James Wells who died at his home in Manton early Monday morning, will be held at Manton tomorrow at 1 o'clock. Mr Wells was 76 years, 9 months and 7 days old at the time of his death. He had been a resident of Manton and vicinity for thirty years and had taught school in many other sections of the county. He was a man on high ideals and a splended citizen. Mr. Wells is survived by three children, Ellen Arnol of Manton, E. A. (Ernest) Wells and Mrs Vilas of Modesto. The children have all been with him during his illness of several months. Beside the children there are surviving two half sisters and a half brother in San Joaquin county, twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. ------------------------------------------------ Looking for any more information. 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