Jefferson Wells, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 JEFFERSON WELLS. The family to which the subject of this sketch belongs is one well known to the people of Rapides Parish, as, for many years, one or more of its members have been prominently identified with all its interests. Jefferson was born in this parish, in 1834, to Montford and Jeannette (Dent) Wells, and his knowledge of the "world of books" was acquired in Benjamin Hollowell Academy, of Alexandria, Va. After completing his education he returned home and devoted his time and attention to the management of his father's magnificent and extensive plantation, consisting of about 2,800 acres of cultivated land, and had under his control a working force of about 500 slaves. These, however, were lost during the war, besides nearly all of their landed property. In 1860 Mr. Wells came to the conclusion that "it is not good for man to live alone," and accordingly was married to Miss Ida, the accomplished daughter of James Fenwick and Laura H. (Overton) Brent (see sketch of E. M. Wells), the former of whom was born in St. Martinsville, La., in 1815, his father being a member of an old Maryland family. His wife was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1822. Mr. Brent's father, William J. Brent, represented the Fourth Louisiana District in Congress. Mr. Wells has never been an aspirant for office, but notwithstanding this has always been interested in politics, and at all times has given his support to the Democratic party. He and his wife are the parents of four children, whose names are as follows: Samuel Fenwick, Thomas Overton, Alice Maud and T. Jefferson.