Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-12-13
DR.. SIMON CARSON WELLS.
Death Today of This Esteemed Citizen
and Educator.

The subject of this sketch was born
June IA, 1926, at Newtown, (now Ste
phens City,, Va. He was the eldest son
of Richard and Jane Il. Wells, and from
his mothers father, Simon Carson, he de-
rived his christened name. He attended
Newton Academy, in his youth, and after
ward spent a couple Of sessions at classical
schools for better advantages. When but
eighteen years of age he was elected prln-
cipal of the home Academ", which posi-
ton he held for two years. At the end
of this time he entered the Virginia Col
legiate Institute to prepare for PenIsyi'
yauia College. To him as well as the in
stitute, this proved TO be an eventful year,
as about the middle of the session the
school WAS moved from Augusta county
TO Salem. He entered Pennsylvania Col
lege as a Junior, and was graduated in
l849. Thence he came to Salem, having
been elected first assistant to Rev. Z. g.
Baughman, principal. In this capacity
he taught until the erection of the lnsti'
tute into Roanoke College in 1858, when
he was elected to the Chair of Mathemat-
les and Natural Science, and this position
he filed with great ability and usefulness
until stricken down, although in later
years he taught only Astronomy and &C.
ology and higher Mathematics. In con-
nection with his College work he made a
careful study of the Geological formations
of Virginia. Professor Wells was hon
ored by his Alma Mater with the degrees
of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of
Laws, the latter having been conferred on
the 79rd anniversary of his birth, June
IA, 1899, which was also the fiftieth aDni-
yersary of his graduation at Gettysburg.
DR.. Wells was the last surviving Charter
member of the Board Of Trustees of Roam
oke College, which he served faithfully as
Secretary for forty seven years.
When the war broke out in 1861 DIR.
Wells went to the front as a member oi
the "Salem Flying Artillery" Whilst
stationed on Craney Island, near Norfolk,
he yss detailed for service in the Signal
Corps, and was elected first lieutenant ol
eaid corps Major Millgan's) serving as
such Until the end of the war. He wit
messed the great fight between the Merri'
mac and Monitor, and always found great
Measure in describing it to his friends
For some years he has been observer al
this place for the United States Weather
Bureau. and also for the State of NORTH
Carolina.
He was one of the original members anC
Trustees of the Lutheran church here, ano
was also one of the first members of the
Sunday. School, in which he took great in
terest, having taught Bible class in j
continuously from its organization unit
the present session when he was forced Il
give it up because of failing health.
He was a man of broad scholarship anC
extensive reading in all departments o
science and literature, a trained Bible stu
dent, and besides graceful writer an'
charming, witty conyersationalist. In ad
dition to the true aud lasting friendship
formed by his association with the stu
dents, among whom be was very popular
he bad also an extensive acquaintanceshll
among public and professional men every
where, so that his death will be mourne(
throughout the entire country.
In 1851 DR.. Wells married Miss Patti
L. Ptzer, daughter of the late Madison
Pitzer, of this comfy. from this uniol
there were four sons, only two of whom
survive him--Messrs. Carson Wells, nov
residing in Colorado, and M. Pitzer Wells
who lives with his mother in Salem. Il
the bereaved widow, sons, and other relS