Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-12-04

Il 10 with unfeigned sorrow that we
record the death Of Prof d. FsANx.
LIN WELLS, State Superintendent Of
Public Instruction. He vas, On Sun.
day the 18th u!timo, suddenly attack.
ed With pleuro pneumonia at his resi-.
desce in Iowa City, aud though all
was dose that affection a,d medic a
skill could do for Fun, be died on Tues-
day, the 24th. about 9 o'clock r. Il.
Prof. Wells WAS born ut Holland
Patent, Oneida county. New York,
June ed, ls3C, and vas reared on
his fathers farm in the habits Of in.
dustry and perseverance, that charac-
tsrise his class. The only advanta-
ges he possessed Of acquiring ~ edu-
cation we're such - we're afforded BY
the common school in winter, and .
short season in the academy in his
native village. He commenced teach
ing school at the age Of nincteen in q
district school with salary Of twelve
dollars month, boarding around"
the the district. His second school
vas at Trenton Falls, N. J. At the
close Of this school he entered the
Normal School at Albany, N. r.,
borrowing the money with which TO
pay his expenses. From this school
he graduated in 1882. After his
graduation he was constantly engaged
as teacher, at Tarrytown, on the Ilud-
son, and at Muscatine, Iowa, in
which latter place he was in 1853
employed as principal Of q public
school This school he organized,
graded and conducted successfully
until August, 1856. when he accepted
the pratessorship of Theory and Prac-
tice of Teaching, in the Iowa State
University. This position he held,
with marked ability and success, most
clearly demonstrating the beneficial
results to be conducted, until in lsgo.
At the annual meeting Of the State
Teachers Association. held August.
1866. he was elected State Agent of
that body, aud at once entered upon
the duties of his Office.
As State Agent he eyinced peculiar
ability. and wherever he iourneyed
lie Infused new zeal into the minds
and acts of teachers and friends OF
education. He was an officer of the
first State Teachers Association in
1854; was elected President of the
Association in 1855, and again in
1859. He was also mainly instrumen-
tai in establishing the Voice OF Io,ea,
the first organ OF the Association,
ard has been identified with each OF
It's successors.
In 1897 he was, by the State Teach
ers Association, elected resident cd.
itor Of the Io,rd School Journal, and
reelected in 1868.
On the resignation or Oran Faville
he was appointed. March lst, 1867,
by Gov. Stone, his successor to the
Office OF State Superintendent OF pub
lie Instruction. In 1867. he was cleo
ted to the same Office by the vote o.
the people, having large majority
over oil candidates on the ticket.
Time has only proved hs pre-emi
|. neut fitness for for the arduous and
highly responsible position 1t th.
! head of the Educational System Of .,
great and progressive . State - this
As public olicer he was eve
courteous, and although his labor
|, were onorous, and his responsibilities
! great. he discharged al with marke,
. 6delity and promptncss. AZ cit
. xeu, Sc was characterized by stead
, devotion 70 I'll that can make . peopl
: truly great. His inAssnce vs. Away
: given in behalf Of jussice and human
!. ~; and in society be win long b n
membered for his nobility Of charal
II ter and Christian example. In hi
i datb the State hes Lost noble vorl
; r,and TIE common schools . sags IN
> master guide-one whose counsel
: viii b remembered long yesEs henc'