Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1934-09-27
DEATH OF GEORGE M. WELLS
OCCURS AT HIS HOME HERE

whose death occurred Friday night
at 9 o'clock, at his home in McCon-
nelsville, as the result of paralysis,
was held Sunday afternoon at 2
o'clock, in the court room. Rev. T.
E. Leonard, pastor of the Presby-
terian church, had charge of the
services. He read the hymn "Abide
With Me- then gave the scripture
reading and offered prayer, follow
basing his remarks upon the third
verse Of the 18th chapter of the
gospel of John: "This is life eternal,
that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent" He closed his SER
vice by reading the hymn There
is land that is fairer than day."
and offering prayer.
Atty G. O. McGonagle then read
an obituary sketch prepared by him
self and giving tribute to the life of
the deceased whom he had known
intimately for many years, through
Mr.. Wells long tenure of the office
of court bailiff. 1t was brought out
in the long and beautiful tribute
that Mr.. Wells was first appointed
to that position in about the year
1886, by the late Judge Geo. H.
Phillips of GAINESVILLE, who presided
in this county, and during the sue
ceeding period of 4S years had serv-
ed under every judge-both during
the district court system and the
present county system. The judges
were VIM B. Grew of McConnels-
vile; j. M. McGinness, Caldwell; E.
M Kennedy, McConnelsville; VIM.
H. Johnson, GAINESVILLE: L. J.
Weber, H. M. Finley and j. @.
Lyme, McConnelsville; and at the
time of Mr.. Wells death he was
still serving by appointment of last
named. ''No wonder that he came
to love this old court room and the
judges and lawyers with whom he
came in contact. He has seen them
come and go for half a century. He
held fast and true until death. His
alertness, quick perception and uni
form courtesy to both bench and
bar won and held for him the posi-
tion he has had SO many years. How
appropriate then that his final
obsequies be conducted here in the
court room where so much of his
life was spent" He served in all a
period Of about 40 years. Since the
year 1919 he had served contin-
uously; and up until 1902 he serv-
ed during those years as deputy
sheriff, under the late c. A. Giles
pie, ]. r. Harper, W. A. Hutchins
and A. J. Sands. Also during these
years, being an expert handler and
driver of horses, his services were
much in demand by the late A. G..
Pyle and other liverymen.
In his earlier years he worked at
saw mills, and in the planning mill
of the late ARA Alderman and
Edgar Sharp, and he had had the
experience of making seven trips
overland and ON foot across the
mountains, to Cumberland and
Baltimore, Md, with cattle. in the
employ of well known drovers of
that day Victor Craig and John P.
Davis, and perhaps one trip with
the late C. B. Bozman.
In addition to the activities men,
toned, of his long life, Mr. Wells
for some years was usually en-
ployed by the Agricultural associa-
tion as police or in some other posi-
ton, at the county fair, and it was
only week before last that he was
employed at our county fair, return
ing in the evening of the last day,
to be fatally stricken. Among his
personal characteristics, the de-
ceased was kindly and tender
hearted, and was devoted to his
family.
George Martin Wells was a son Of
the late Anon and Esther McCona-
ha Wells. He was born July Z,
1848, in Bloom township Morgan
county, on the old Meloy farm.
When a child he with his parents
moved to the old Wells homestead,
until few years ago owned and oc-
cupied by his brother Charles Wells,
and situated near the late Hamer
Leland residence in Meigsville
township. He was one of Ia chill
dren. Two brothers-John and Baz.
Wells survive him, and reside in
Meigsville township. One of his
brothers, Benjamin Wells. died in
the Civil war In 1S75-Nr Wells
was married to Martha Sheets Of
McConnelsville, who died in 1908.
Their children who survive are Har-
ry Wells of McConnelsyille and
Mrs. Kathryn Cosgrave of Zanes-
vile. He also leaves ten grand
children and three great grandchil-
dren. Since Mr.. Wells marriage he
had resided in McConnelsvllle.
Burial was made in the McCon-
nelsville cemetery. Those serving
as pail bearers were Att'ys G. o.
McGonagle, Emmett Abel. F. S.
Doudna, Clair Young, and Carlos
Reicker and Sheriff l.. B. Adrean.
At the services there was large at
tendance, the court room being fill
ed with the members of the family,
relatives, friends and acquaint-
ances of the deceased.