BIOGRAPHIES: Floyd J. WELLS, Barron, Barron County, WI

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Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  6 April 2002	
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Floyd J. Wells, proprietor of the Barron Monumental Works, one of the
important industries of Barron city, and largely built up by him, was born
at Sparta, Wis., son of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Kross) Wells. He was
educated in the public and high schools of Sparta, Wis. In 1915 he accepted
a position with the Melgard Monument Works of that place as traveling
salesman, and remained with that concern until the fall of 1916, making a
good record. He then came to Barron and purchased his present business,
which had been established here in 1908 by E. C. Melgard, who had operated
it until it was purchased by Mr. Wells. The latter rebuilt the plant,
installing modern machinery, including a traveling hoisting crane of
five-ton lifting capacity. The business has been considerably extended and
now covers territory from Rhinelander to Osceola, and as far north as
Superior, about 40,000 square miles. The work building has ground
dimensions of 16 by 40 feet, with an office 16 by 16 feet. The concern
handles Wisconsin, Vermont and Minnesota granite, which is secured in the
rough and worked out in the plant by highly skilled workmen. It carries the
largest stock of finished granite to be found with any concern in the
northern half of the state, and in addition to the workmen in the plant has
a adequate force of salesmen on the road, high class work and quick truck
delivery being guaranteed. Since Mr. Wells took hold of the work, the
output has amounted to $100,000, having had a rapid increase, each year's
business having more then doubled. Politically Mr. Wells may be classed as
an independent Republican. He is a member of Lodge No. 220, A. F. & A. M.,
of Barron; McKinley Lodge, No. 172, K. P., and the I. O. O. F. Lodge No.
38, also of Barron He was married Sept. 29, 1916, to Anna Melgard, daughter
of Olaf and Amelia Melgard of Cashton, Monroe County, Wis. He and his wife
are the parents of one child, Ida May, who was born Oct. 26, 1918.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pp. 111-112.