Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1922-12-28
OLIVER {. WELLS
ANSWERS CALL
DIED TUESDAY-PRINCIPAL
OF TRAINING SCHOOL
FOR YEARS

On Tuesday morning at $3.50
Wells passed away at his home, 913
Third street, in this city following an
illness of about seven years during
which he had been able to get about
until perhaps the past year. There
had been steady but almost imper-
ceptible decline until the end came.
Mr.. Wells had been a citizen of
Wausau for nearly quarter of a CEN
tury, coming here in 1899 to accept
the position of principal of the Mara
thon County Training school for
Teachers. He was the first principal
of this institution, the first of its kind
in Wisconsin and perhaps the first one
in the country, and by his able work
as an educator he at once brought the
school to a very high standard making
it in fact what it was intended to be
and from the start the school was
filled with those whose aim it was to
enter upon the work of teaching.
Mr. Wells most ably fulfilled his
mission and laid the foundations of the
school broad and deep insuring its
growth and stability. He won the
friendship of all who knew him
through steady, strong and faith
full life. He filled offices of trust with
marked ability and he surrendered
their responsibilities with the uniform
respect and hearty good will of all.
He gained considerable recognition as
writer and was one of the promi-
nent figures in several very aggres-
sive campaigns in the state. Eonered
ON ho 20 l, NJ M
with those who have gone before,
with men whose past experiences and
wide knowledge and great love for
mankind render their lives of COM
manding influence and inspiration to
those who follow in their train. A
new hour is dawning in the worlds
progress; unreasonable possibilities
for evil or for good are bound up in
it. 1t will be a tragedy or triumph.
Men like 0. e. Wells who have car
ried the lighted torches of knowledge,
love of man, country and God, have
performed an important service to
this generation.
Oliver e. Wells was born in Lemar-
tin, Fond du Lac county, ON July end,
1858. He was trained in the private
and public schools during his younger
years and then entered Lawrence coll
lege and Way1and academy, and later
the old University of Chicago He
finished the Sophomore year in this
institution in 1878. Twenty years lat
er he ended a course in the present
University of Chicago which gave him
the A. B. degree.
He taught school for many years at
Manawa and New London and later
was elected county superintendent of
schools lin Waupaca county and con-
tinued in that capacity for five years,
following which he taught in the APP
pleton public schools. Then he ac-
cepted the position Of principal of
the high school at Manitowoc which
he resigned when he was placed in
nomination for state superintendent
of schools. He was elected to this
high office and held it for four years,
from 1891 to 1895. Then he was
called to Washburn to take the prin-
cipalship of the schools there.
Mr.. Wells came to Wausau in 1899
and from that time until 1915 was
principal of the Marathon County
Training school, not giving up his
work until i'll health made it neces-
sary He rendered great service to
the public schools of our state and
was especially honored by Albert Sal
isbury, an educator of prominence of
Wisconsin. He was also instrumental
in the passage of the law permitting
Wisconsin to recognize certificates
and diplomas issued by other states.
Mr. Wells was an uncompromising
Democrat from the time his first vote
was cast He was an ardent member
of the First Baptist church and was
for many years member of the board
of trustees of that church.
Mr.. Wells was married to Miss Abb
bic Evans, July 2, 1879, at Manawa,
Wis, by whom he is survived. He
is also survived by two sons, Lloyd
Wells, Of Dallas, Texas, and Samuel
Wells Of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, one
daughter, Olive Wells, of this city,
two sisters, Mrs. Matt. Cutler, of Ste
vens Point, and Mrs. VIM. Brownlea of
Manawa. He also leaves four broth
ers, Dan Wells, Of Neenah, Sheron
Wells, Of Green Bay, Earl Wells, of
Cleveland, and William Wells, who re-
sides in Wisconsin.
Services will be conducted at the
home tomorrow morning at 8:45
O'Clock. Prayer will be given by the
Rev. Richard Evans, and the body
will be taken to Manawa on the 9:40
o'clock train. Interment will be in
the Manawa cemetery.
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