Beckham County, OK - Obits: Elijah Wells, 1916
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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WELLS, ELIJAH
(28 Dec 1916, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
UNCLE ELIJAH WELLS DIES OF APOPLEXY.
End Came to Venerable Old Gentleman this Morning - A Shock to Relatives
and Friends.
This morning at about 10 o'clock Uncle Elijah Wells was picked up in a
dying condition in the rear of the Henry Lathrop harness shop, being first
found by the editor of this paper, who had gone for a bucket of water and
saw Uncle Lige laying on the ground, where he had only possibly been for a
minute or two, but life had almost ebbed away.  He was tenderly carried to
the home of his son, John B. Wells, where he died in a few minutes,
despite the efforts of Drs. Kilbourn and Kimball to restore respiration,
death being due to a stroke of apoplexy.
But a few minutes before he had been engaged in sweeping the snow from the
walk at the home and Mrs. Wells had not missed him, until word was
conveyed to her of what had happened.  He had been in his usual good
health with the exception of a cold which had bothered him for several
days, and his sudden death was quite a shock to relatives and his host of
friends in this city and community.
Elijah Wells was born in Ohio January 27, 1842, died at Newtown, Mo.,
December 21, 1916, being 74 years, 10 months and 21 days of age.  He came
with his parents to Iowa in his young manhood, where he lived for a few
years, then moved to Putnam county, Mo., and has since made this state his
home, with the exception of a short time spent in the west.  He was
married to Miss Samantha F. Beatty in 1863 and to this union five children
were born, four of whom, John B., of Newtown, Mrs. Baskett of Chillicothe,
George A., of Avant, Okla., and Mrs. Dr. Watson of Elk City, Okla.,
survive him, and Vinson A., the youngest son, who died May 21, 1907.  His
wife preceeded him to the great beyond having died in Elk City, Okla.,
Oct. 29, 1901, the body being brought back for interment in the Sprague
cemetery near their old home.
"Uncle Lige" as he was familiarly called, had always been a very robust,
active man. He was the oldest member of the Masonic lodge in this city,
having been a member here for nearly half a century.  He was industrious,
well read and genial, and being of a pleasant, sunny disposition,
naturally made many friends who will mourn his untimely end.
He had alternately made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Baskett, and his
son, John B., since the death of his wife.
The funeral will be conducted from the Baptist Church on Sunday morning at
9:30 o'clock by Rev. Clark of the Baptist Church of Chillicothe, of which
deceased was a member, after which the remains will be conveyed by the
Masons and friends to the cemetery where they will be laid to rest by the
side of those of his wife, there to sleep in peace and await the
resurrection morn.
The relatives have the sympathy of the people of this entire community in
the loss of such a true and loving parent and companion, but should be
consoled in the fact that His will, not ours, be done.  - The Chronicle,
Newtown, Mo.

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