James Luke Wells^{[1, 2, 3]}

1882 - 1953  (71 years)

• Name	James Luke Wells
  Born	7 May 1882	Tazewell County, Virginia
  Gender	Male
  Died	19 Oct 1953	McDowell, West Virginia
  Buried	Mapel Hill Cemetery, Tazewell County, Virginia
  Person ID	I547451258	My Reynolds Line
  Last Modified	5 Jan 2016

  
  

  Father	Robert Clay Wells,   b. 19 Apr 1842, Henry County, County, Virginia ,   d. 21 Dec 1926, Tazewell County, Virginia  (Age 84 years)
  Mother	Mary Elizabeth Dillon,   b. 18 Nov 1847, Henry County, VA ,   d. 7 Sep 1887, Tazewell County,, Virginia  (Age 39 years)
  Married	5 Dec 1867	Henry County, Virginia
  Notes	Birth: 1842, Henry County, Virginia Death: Dec. 28, 1926, Tazewell County, Virginia THE HENRY BULLETIN, Fri., Dec. 31, 1926, p. 1, col.6: (edited) OLD HENRY COUNTY CITIZEN WRITES OWN OBITUARY - DIES. Of interest to the older generation of Henry County citizens, will be the following item taken from the Bluefield (W. Va.) Telegraph concerning a Henry County citizen of many years ago. A few weeks after he had written his own obituary in which he wished his many friends a Merry Christmas and thanked them for their many kindnesses, the life light of R. C. Wells, pioneer citizen and Confederate Veteran, faded slowly out at his home in the Bluestone Valley, Tuesday morning. "I am worn out and broken down and if I live to see the twenty-fifth (meaning Christmas Day), it will likely be my last," dramatically wrote the aged man in his obituary. Soldier that he was, and figuratively speaking, he could hear the faint dying sound of taps, a soldiers' good night, for shortly after he penciled the touching words of his obituary, he sent a copy to Henry C. Callaway, editor of the Bluefield, Va. News, of the Daily Telegraph. Mr. Callaway carefully preserved the copy, which is sub-joined to this article and which gives the life history of Mr. Wells as told in his own words. Mr. Wells was a charter member of the Tip Top Masonic lodge and was 84 years of age. Surviving relatives are: daughter, Mrs. J. M. Hendrick of Thorpe, and three sons, namely W. W., J. L. And J. B. Wells, all of whom reside in the Bluestone valley section. Vance Wells, well known local barber, is a grandson of the deceased man. Funeral services and burial will take place Thursday morning at Wellsville. ****** " I am a native of Henry County, Virginia. Spent my boyhood there. I belonged to Co. G., 42nd Va. Inf., 2nd Bri., 1st Div., Jacksons' old Corps. I was captured at Gettysburg, taken to Point Lookout and remained there until the close of the war. Was married the following year and moved to Tazwell County, Va., and have since been a resident of this county and lived among its people who have been especially kind and good to me, for which I want to thank one and all. I am worn out and broken down, and if I live to see the 25th, it will likely be my last. A Merry Christmas to all and a Christmas gift from all of you. Yours, R. C. Wells." ****** Ref: Anne Vestal-Miller: THE MARRIAGE REGISTER OF HENRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA, Vol. I, 1853-1878, pp. 30 & 31, #124: 5 Dec. 1867: Robert C. Wells, Age 23, Single, Born Pittsylvania Co., Son of Joel & Sarah Wells, married Mary E. Dillon, Age 18, Single, Born Henry Co., Dau. of Mart & Marlin Dillon. ****** 1880 Census, Clear Fork, Tazewell County, VA.: Robert C., Head, Age 38, Farmer Mary E., Wife, Age 30, Keeping House William W., Son, Age 11, Laborer On Farm Joseph F., Son, Age 9 Dellamaid, Dau., 7 Lula M., Dau., 5 Charly E., Son, Age 1 Fannie, Dau., Age 1 month ****** 1910 Census, Clear Fork, Tazewell County, VA.,family#127: Robert C. Wells 68 Widower Jesse B. Wells 22 son John R. Hambrick 38 son-in-law Lula M. Hambrick 35 daughter Vance W. Carter 15 grandson ****** Info below from Jack Mitchell: Children of Robert: Willie W Wells 1869- Joseph T Wells 1870- Della Maude Wells 1872-1896 Lula M Wells 1874- Charles Edgar Wells 1876- Robert C Wells 1878- Lela Lee Wells 1880-1952 ****** Roberts' brother, Luther P. Wells was also a Confederate Soldier. He was in CO A, 5th Bttn., VA Reserves. (sometimes known as "Henrys' Regiment Virginia Reserves," which was commanded by Patrick Miller Henry, a grandson of Patrick Henry. ****** Parents: Joel C Wells (1801 - 1856) Sarah Elizabeth Tarpley Wells (1805 - ____) Spouse: Mary E. Dillon Wells (1847 - 1887) Children: William W Wells (1869 - 1945) Joseph T Wells (1870 - ____) Della Maude Wells Carter (1872 - 1896) Lula M Wells (1874 - ____) Charles Edgar Wells (1876 - 1902) Robert Clay Wells (1878 - 1918) Lela Lee Wells Hendrickson (1880 - 1952) James Luke Wells (1882 - 1953) John W Wells (1884 - 1895) Jesse B Wells (1887 - ____) Note: His dates may be 19 April 1842 - 17 Dec. 1926. Burial: Wells Cemetery, Tazewell County, Virginia
  Family ID	F518494746	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Frances 'Fannie' C. Matthews,   b. 29 Apr 1877, Carroll County, Virginia ,   d. 13 Oct 1950, West Virginia  (Age 73 years)
  Married	29 Sep 1903	Wilcoe, McDowell County, West Virginia
  Last Modified	8 Nov 2015
  Family ID	F518495425	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Photo James Luke Wells j.l. wells.jpg

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		Death Certificate-James Luke Wells james l. wells.jpg
  		J. Luke Wells; Indexed Register of Deaths McDowell County, WV james luke wells.jpg
  		Draft Registration_J.L. Wells j.l. wells-draft registration-west virginia.jpg
  		Draft Registration-James Luke Wells james luke wells-draft.jpg
  		Marriage Record-Matthews-Wells james luke wells-fannie matthews marriage.jpg

  
  

• Sources

  [S159] Draft Registration Card, James Luke Wells. [S150] Photograph, James Luke Wells. [S37] Death Certificate, James Luke Wells. [S46] Marriage Record/Certificate, James L. Wells and Frances 'Fannie' Matthews.