Biographical Sketch of Oliver Wells, Webster County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, 
Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing
Company, 1889.
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Oliver Wells, postmaster at Marshfield, Mo., and dealer in books,
stationary, etc., is a native of Lincoln county, N. C., where he was
born February 19, 1845, being the son of James and Mary J. Wells, and
grandson of James Wells.  The latter was a native of Wales, who came
to the United States and settled in South Carolina, serving as a sold-
ier in the Revolutionary War, and taking part in the battles of King's
Mountain, Ramseaur's Mill and other minor engagements in that section
of the country.  He died and was buried near Yorkville, S. C., in his
ninety-first year.  The maternal grandfather of Mr. Wells was a Metho-
dist preacher, a Virginian by birth.  James Wells, father of our 
subject, was born in South Carolina in 1799, and died in North Carolina
in 1858.  He was a contractor and builder by occupation.  Mary Munday,
Oliver's mother, was born near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., in 1803,
and died in North Carolina in 1885.  Of this union twelve children were
born, Oliver being the youngest; eight are now living.  Oliver Wells
obtained a common school education, and enlisted in the Confederate 
army, when but a boy of sixteen, on the 15th day of June, 1861, in 
Company K, First Regiment North Carolina State Troops, and Mr. Wells 
was made a member of Company I, in which he remained until the close of
the war.  He was twice wounded, first at Gettysburg in the memorable
Picket charge, again at Bristoe Station, on the Orange & Alexander 
Railroad, and was taken prisoner three times.  He took a part in all 
the hard fought battles of Lee's army, holding several positions of
honor and trust.  After the surrender he learned the brick layer's 
trade.  In 1868 he went to East Tennessee, and in 1869 to Kansas, and
on the 20th of April, 1870, he arrived at Marshfield, Mo., working at
his trade in Marshfield and Springfield until 1885, when he was appoin-
ted postmaster by President Cleveland.  He has filled that position to
the satisfaction of all, and is one of the country's best citizens.  In
1879 he married Miss Martha W. McCulloch, a native of Missouri, born in
the year 1856.  They have four children, viz.:  Mary Edith, Daniel Lee,
Clara Jane and Thomas.  In 1880 Mr. Wells took the census of Ozark
Township, the township in which Marshfield is located, and has filled
the office of constable in that township for two terms.  He is a member 
of three secret societies, and is an agreeable and accommodating 
gentleman.

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