>From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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EDWARD P. WELLS
    Edward P. Wells, the first settler on the Camas prairie, near
Springdale, Stevens county, is now one of the leading ranchers and stockmen
in the valley. The son of Marcus and Lucinda Wells, natives of New York, he
was born July 8, 1844, at Enterprise, Indiana. His mother was connected with
the eminent Hyde family, of England, her brother, John Hyde, having at one
period owned the celebrated Hyde Park, England, one of the fashionable
suburbs of London. She was one of the heirs of an undivided estate of three
hundred and fifty million dollars. Edward P. Wells is one of a family of
eight children, six of whom are living, viz: William, in Danville, Illinois;
Mary, wife of John R. Allen, at Jeffersonville, Indiana; Harriet H., married
to Hiram P. Dean, of Greenwood, Indiana; Emma A., married to George Knight,
in Alaska; John J., in Couer d'Alene, Idaho; and Edward P., our subject.
   The latter, following his graduation from a high school in Cincinnati,
Ohio, ran away and enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Infantry, at the age of
sixteen. At the end of his three months' term of service he re-enlisted in
Company K, First New York Cavalry, under Colonel Schurz. By President
Lincoln this regiment was given the name of the First Lincoln Cavalry. In
this regiment he served until the close of the war. He was a scout under
Gen. George A. Custer, and in this capacity was frequently at General
Sheridan's headquarters. He participated in the following engagements:
Cross Lanes, First Bull Run, Chancellorville, Antietam, South Mountain,
Lookout Mountain, White House Landing, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Staunton,
Lynchburg, Petersburg, Five Forks and a number of smaller battles and
skirmishes. He was at the surrender of General Lee at Appamattox Court House,
and then, returning to Washington D.C., participated in the Grand Review.
Having imbibed a taste for military life he went to Governor's Island, New
York, and after his discharge from the volunteers, on July 15, 1865, he
re-enlisted in the regular army, and served as drillmaster at Carlisle
Barracks, Pennsylvania. He served three years in the Seventh Cavalry, re-
enlisted for five years, and was first sergeant of Troop E until November,
1873. Subsequently he re-enlisted for five years, twice, and was finally
mustered out at Fort Spokane, November 30, 1883, after a continuous service
of twenty-three years, a record of which he may well be proud.
   The veteran soldier the located a homestead on Camas prairie, Stevens
county where he has ever since successfully farmed and raised stock. He has
a quarter section of land, good house, barn and outbuildings.
   Mr.Wells was married on May 18, 1894 to Sadie E.Cook, widow of Thomas
Cook, and a native of Iowa. Mr.Wells is a member of Wallace Post, No.104,
G.A.R., and of the Congregational chruch.
   Since the above was written, the sad news of Mr. Wells' death has come.
On January 16, 1904, the summons came to join the "innumberable caravan"
which is ever wending its way from the scenes of this earth to the realms of
reality beyond. As he had lived, a devout Christian, so he died, secure in
the hope of the resurrection through the Savior of men. His demise was
deeply mourned and many are the sincere ones who bowed the head in grief
that a good man had been taken from our midst.
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