Biography of William R Wells, Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1998 by M. Sue (Outman) Wells. This copy contributed for 
use in the USGenWeb Archives.  


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WILLIAM R. WELLS -- The career of this representative merchant and popular
citizen of the village of Woodbury, indicates the consistency of the
statement that success is the result of the application of one's powers and
abilities along those lines which his natural tendencies select.  Mr. Wells
was reared on a farm but had no predilection for its work, and he has
proved himself in no uncertain way in the vocation which he has adopted. 
He was born on the homestead farm, in Sunfield township, this county, in
December, 1868, being the youngest son of that well known pioneer, William
A. Wells.  He was reared on the farm, doing such work as he was compelled
to do but with so manifest reluctance and distaste that the other members
of the family pronounced him lazy and irresponsible.  He attended the
district school in a desultory way, but much preferred to go fishing or to
visit the village of Vermontville.  When he reached his legal majority his
father gave him three hundred dollars in cash, with the stipulation that if
he spent it foolishly he could expect no more.  His father had a horse
called "Boney," which the son had used as a driving horse, and though the
animal was a good roadster it well deserved its name.  The value placed on
this horse by its owner was about seventy-five dollars, but when William R.
approached his father with a proposition to buy the animal he asked double
the price, considering it foolish for the son to make such an investment. 
But the latter had decided to have a horse and wagon and to engage in
peddling groceries.  Noting his determination his father gave him the use
of "Boney," with the provision that he must feed and care for the animal
himself.  The young man rigged up a wagon, purchased some goods, which he
stored in a bedroom in the parental home, and on this basis he initiated
his independent career as a "man of business."  He went out through the
country, selling goods, securing partly cash payments and also taking in
exchange butter, eggs and whatever other produce could be converted into
money.  The "lazy" boy worked early and late, devoting his Saturdays
usually to crating eggs and taking them to market in Vermontville. 
Eventually the father began to manifest a certain amount of interest in the
work which the son was doing, and would often wait on persons who came to
the house to purchase goods which William R. had for sale.  The father had
believed his boy would not stick to the business and that his investment
was a foolish one, but he was open to conviction and as winter approached
and it became evident that the wagon trips would have to be abandoned, at
least to a large extent, William R. began looking about for a store in an
eligible location.  He finally made overtures to purchase the stock and
business of Perry Welch, who had been conducting a general store at
Shaytown, in the eastern part of Sunfield township, but the price demanded
was greater than the cash resources of Mr. Wells, though he was given the
opportunity of applying a properly secured note in part payment.  His
father considered the venture too great a one and would not aid him, and he
then appealed to his mother, who offered to sign a note with him.  Under
these conditions Mr. Wells was enabled to become a full-fledged merchant,
adding his own little stock of goods to that already in the store.  He
continued the enterprise at Shaytown from the autumn of 1890 until October,
1893, when he leased a small store building in Woodbury and moved his stock
of goods to the same.  He finally purchased the building, to which he has
added until it is now the largest store in the village, and that he has had
courage, ambition and good judgment is shown not less in the appearance of
his establishment than in the marked success which he has attained.  His
stock has a conservative valuation of ten thousand dollars, including a
full line of hardware, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, men's
furnishing goods, etc., and in connection a meat market is conducted, while
the annual sales reach an aggregate of twenty thousand dollars.  The store
has a frontage of one hundred feet, and in addition to owning this
excellent property, Mr. Wells has erected a fine modern residence, of ten
rooms, with furnace heat and other facilities unusual to the smaller
villages.  His real estate investments in Woodbury aggregate about six
thousand dollars in value.  He has not lost his fealty to the business of
operating a wagon, having constantly continued this feature of his business
during the season, his sales in this department averaging fifty dollars a
day and the accommodation being greatly appreciated by patrons.  He has
personally taken his turn in driving about with the wagon and visiting his
customers, and he has the esteem and good will of the people of his
community, who also admire him for his pluck and perseverance in the face
of obstacles.  In view of the facts here given nothing farther need be said
against the business record of the "lazy farmer boy."  Mr. Wells is
independent in politics, though favoring the principals of the Republican
party.  He was postmaster at Shaytown three years and is now serving his
second year as postmaster of Woodbury.  He is affiliated with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. 
October 15, 1890, Mr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Cassie M.
Rawson, who was born and reared in Vermontville, this county, being a
daughter of Benjamin F. Rawson.  They have three children, whose names and
respective dates of birth are as follows:  William, November 28, 1891;
Bessie, May 16, 1895; and Neva, March 23, 1900.

Source:  Past and Present of Eaton County




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