This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hollenbeck, Bell, Wells, Oviatt Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/FMB.2ACE/55.709.1.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Barbara: A quick search of Alphonzo's diary indicates that he met Chester Wells and Mr. Oviatt on Nov. 28, 1852 at the Bay State House in Culoma. They later bought a claim together in December along with "Thompson" and "Marx" (or) "Mix". There was an Oviatt among the early settlers in Summit Co. Ohio that the Hollenbecks knew. Alphonso left from there. I suspect that Chester Wells was from there too - Hudson, Ohio or Franklin Mills, Ohio. - Rick