Richard O. Wells, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Dec. 29, 1809; he remained there with his parents until he was 25 years of age assisting on the farm; his father died there in the year 1835; his mother surviving him until the year 1860. Mr. Wells, while at home in Kentucky was married August, 1831, to Miss Jenette Boston (daughter of William Boston of Kentucky); she was born July 15, 1815; shortly after his marriage, he moved upon a farm near that of his father’s, where he lived until his removal to Clark Co., in 1837; the next year he moved to Coles Co. and settled on Sec. 6, where he lived three years, and then returned to Clark Co. and from there, in 1843, moved back to Kentucky and after remaining ten years, in the year 1853, came to Coles Co. and settled upon Sec. 7, where he has since resided. He owns 111 acres; has been School Director one term. They had twelve children, seven boys, three living – Richard J., born May 29, 1849; Robert L., August 11, 1853, and Charles M., born Jan. 22, 1856, and four deceased-Preston, born Oct. 22, 1832, died in 1842; James F. M., born April 1, 1836, died in 1865; William H., born July 17, 1840, died in 1850; and Leroy B., born April 6, 1851, died in February, 1852; five girls, two living – – Leah, (now Mrs. Reily Lee), born Feb. 10, 1838; Leomia (now Mrs. M. Connely), born Sept. 15, 1842; and three deceased – Mary E., born Nov. 29, 1844, died in 1850; Louisa A., born March 6, 1846, died also in 1850; one died in infancy. His son, James F. M., enlisted in Co. “H,” 21st Regt. Ill. Vols., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and confined in Libby and Andersonville Prisons for nineteen months and died at Annapolis, Md., in 1865 on his way home, from disease contracted while a prisoner. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the Baptist Church and have been connected with it for a number of years.
