California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


E. H. WELLS. � The necessity of self-support was thrust upon Mr. 
Wells in early life, and when scarcely more than a boy he was doing a man's 
work in the world, sacrificing all educational opportunities aside from those 
offered by the grammar schools and taking up telegraphy as a means of liveli- 
hood. Born at Winchester, Scott county, Ill., May 27, 1850, he worked along 
the Wabash Railroad as telegrapher in Illinois and Indiana, and also held a 
number of positions at Iowa stations. Devotion to his work and intelligent 
mastery of the business led to his promotion and for two years he held the 
responsible position of train dispatcher at Peoria, Ill., but overwork under- 
mined his health and it became necessary for him to relinquish railroading 
and seek an entire change of climate and occupation. For this reason in 1884 
he left Keokuk, Iowa, and came to Ukiah, Cal., where he has since been con- 
nected with different enterprises in Mendocino county. Temporarily engaged 
as a painter at Ukiah, also as clerk in the office of County Clerk S. D. Paxton 
and as a deputy in the office of County Assessor W. P. McFauld, later as 
an employe with the Republican Press, he left Ukiah for Willits May 1, 1902, 
and on the 12th of June received the appointment of postmaster at Willits 
under the administration of President McKinley. After a service of nearly 
twelve years in the same office, under three presidents, when office receipts 
increased about 150 per cent, he resigned July 11, 1913, and since his retire- 
ment from the postmastership he has engaged in the bakery and confec- 
tionery business in this place. 

The marriage of Mr. Wells united him with Miss Viola Burris, of Illinois, 
by whom he is the father of two daughters, namely : Mrs. Alice E. Kinsey, 
of Oakland, and Mrs. Lilly D. Leak, who served as assistant postmaster at 
Willits under her father. On the organization of the Willits Agricultural and 
Fair Association Mr. Wells became a charter member, and since then he has 
been a director in the concern. Active in Odd Fellowship, he has passed all 
the chairs in Ukiah Lodge No. 174, and he also has held all the offices in 
Ukiah Lodge No. 33, A. O. U. W. On the organization of Willits Lodge No. 
19, Knights of Pythias, he became a charter member. For five years he 
officiated as keeper of records and seals, while at the present writing he has 
the responsible position of master of finance. With his wife he holds mem- 
bership with the Daughters of Rebekah at Willits.