Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-09-01

down town, but he was again obliged
to seek the quiet of home. For a
month. it may be said, he had been
gradually failing. despite the best
that medical and surgical science
could do to relieve him. Wednesday
he sank Perceptibly, and it was feared
the end was approaching, but yester-
day lie seemed to improve and was
brighter during the day than he had
been of late. As late as o'clock in
the evening he cOnversed with c. l..
Walker, who had called to see him.
asking after the Eighteenth street
pavement and other improvements in
the neighborhood of his home.
Short V after he asked for a cup of
beef tea, a portion of which he drank
with apparent relish, and putting the
cup down expressed Il desire to 20 to
sleep, stating that he wished to be
awakened in 10 minutes. when he
woulc drink the remainder of the
tea. But he never awoke more. falling
into a deep sleep. which terminated
in death at the time stated.
BioGra phicaI.
Howard Wells was born at Madi-
son. Ind. April u. 1916. He re-
moved with his parents to Illinois
when 6 years old. aud since 1852. his
reside nee had for the most part been
in Rock Island county. He received
such advantages as the common
schoO afforded in those DAYS. and
in 1868 he engaged in live stock rails
ing on a farm which his father still
owns in South Rock Island. Five
years later he went west. taking up
a hon estead in Thayer county. Neb.,
but being overtaken by reverses he
gave j. t up and walked back to Rock
Island. He at once engaged in the
lumber and hardwood business.
which he has followed to the present
time. Buying his stock in Missouri.
he thought to do more business bv
being nearer the source of supply. he
moved in 1875 with his family to
Jamesport, Davis county, Mo. He
was soon afterward appointed town
marshal. an Office which he filled with
credit during his residence there.
Returning again to Rock Island
county. he lived in Milan few years
and then adopted Rock Island as his
home. still pursuing the lumber and
hardware business with an office on
First avenue. He was appointed
postmaster at Rock Island by Presi-
dent Harrison Sept. 6, 1899, and he
served from Oct l of that year until
July 1 last, when j. W. Potter re-
lieved him by virtue of appointment
by President Cleveland. Mr.. Wells
always took conspicuous part
in politics. being leading
republican. and had been both
chairman and secretary of the re-
publican county committee. He
was for some years treasurer and
member of the executive committee
OF the Rock Island District Camp
Meeting association. was for some
time banker of Camp 30, NJ. W. A,
member of Arsenal council, National
Union, was secretary of the Rock ISL
and Humane society, and an original
director Of the Black Hawk Home
stead Building and Loan association,
and was one of the members of the
build ing committee of the First Nj.
Z. church. iof which he was always a
prom inent member. He was consci-
entious, Industrious and faithfulOin
all that he undertook, and was re-
Carded as one of Rock Islands most
useful citizens. Politically, he was
enthr siastio to fault, and he seemed |
to never tire of Jealous and energetic
work on behalf of his party. Indeed,
it is not to lie doubted that the fatal
began with the exposure and
eyervork to- which he subjected him
self during the last presidential cam
paign, at the close of which he was
strict en- down with the trouble from
which he meyer fully recovered.
He was united in marriage June
II. 1873 with Miss Sarah Rosalia
Stone, who survives him with one