Obit: Capt. Thomas Montfort Wells, Grant Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies
120 Ted Price Lane
Winnfield, LA  71483
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CAPT. THOMAS MONTFORT WELLS

DIED

WELLS--at his died home in the town of Colfax, LA., at 1:50 p. m. on 
Wednesday, June 3, 1925, Capt. Thomas Montfort Wells, born Feb. 25, 
1836 departed this life aged 89 years, 3 months and 8 days.  

Services were held over the remains at St. Joseph's Catholic church at 
4 p. m. on Thursday, Rev. Father Lambertz officiating, after which 
interment was made in the Colfax cemetery, a large concourse of sorrowing 
relatives and friends being present to pay their last tribute of respect.
Capt. Thomas Montfort Wells was the eldest son of Ex-Gov. J. Madison 
Wells, and was born at Alexandria, Rapides Parish, growing to manhood 
on his father's large plantation at Lecompte.  He was a veteran of the Civil 
War, being a member of the 1st Louisiana Cavalry, Scott's Regiment, and 
was made sergeant major at the battle of Shiloh.  After the war he served 
as naval officer of New Orleans.  In the 1870s he acted as deputy collector 
of taxes in Grant parish.

He first married Miss Naomi Livoudais, of New Orleans, who died shortly 
afterwards.  In 1870 he married  Miss Mary Harriet Grant, of Rapides Parish, 
who survives him together with the following children, Richard H., Frank M., 
Sam L., Howard K., and Mrs. Corrine Bienvenue and Miss Cora Wells, of 
Colfax;  Mrs. Clara Brownlee, of Texas; Chas. A. Wells, of Alexandria; and 
Mrs. Rosa Gallion, or Arkansas.  

In 1902 he was appointed postmaster at Colfax and served in that capacity 
for twelve years.  For a number of years previous to his appointment as 
postmaster he was engaged as a pilot on steamboats plying in Red river.
Capt. Wells was a staunch Republican throughout his life and was 
recognized as a leader of the party in the state.  He was a man of keen 
intellect, ready wit and pleasing personality, and readily made and 
retained friends.  

His passing away marks the going of a man who viewed the vicissitudes 
of life with calmness and even demeanor, and who leaves legions of friends 
and admirers who recognized in him one who was faithful and ever ready 
to befriend those with whom he came in contact.

Among those from a distance attending the funeral of Capt. T. M. Wells 
on Thursday were Miss Bessie Wells, Miss Naomi Murphy, Mr. F. E. Norflett,
Mrs. Joe Fitzpatrick, Miss Emily Smith, Mrs. G. G. Scott, of LeCompte; Mrs.
John Woodard, Mr. Dunn Wells, Mrs. Mattie Texada Spence, Mrs. Thad Eversull,
Mr. O. E. Grant, of Boyce; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Aarial, Capt. R. H. Grant, Mr.
John Burgess, Mrs. Mary Ann Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Wells, Mrs. Lessie
Cruse, of Alexandria; Mrs. Henry Rougeou, of Lamourie; Mr Robert Sandford, of
Detroit, Mich; Misses naomi, Clarice and Ella Rachal, of Cloutierville. 

(The above obituary was copied from Melrose Scrapbook No. 67, Northwestern
State University of Louisiana, Watson Memorial Library, Cammie G. Henry
Research Center, Natchitoches, LA.  The obituary was probably written by Dr.
Milton Dunn, late, great historian for Winn, Grant, and Natchitoches Parishes. 
There is no marking on the article to establish the newspaper in which it was 
published.