Wells, Sidney, 1838-1924

Sidney Wells was born at Utica, N. Y., on Sept. 15, 1838, and died July 15th. Had he lived two months more he would have been 86 years of age. Death came at the home of his grandson, Wayne Padley, with whom he made his home the last three years of his life.

Mr. Wells came to Lodi with his parents in 1849 and settled near Lodi. He was one of the early pioneers and has always lived in this vicinity. He is the last of a large family of brothers and sisters.

Enlisting in 1861, Mr. Wells served his cause as a soldier during the Civil War, with the 2d Wisconsin Regiment, Company H, of the Iron Brigade. He was a member of the George H. Irwin Post and of the Masonic Lodge F. & A. M. No. 99.

On April 27, 1865, Mr. wells was married to Margaret A. Laughlin, who preceded him in death 7 years ago. Five children were born to them. One daughter, Pearl, (Mrs. William Christie) passed away 6 years ago. The others are: Orpha (Mrs. Charles Axon), and Clara (Mrs. J. E. Padley), Lodi; Addie (Mrs. A. Roy Vaughn), Chicago; and Amos, Los Angeles, Calif. There are also eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. Well had a large circle of friends and always had a cheery greeting for them. His generosity of heart endeared him to these friends as well as to his immediate family.

The funeral service was held Friday afternoon at the Wayne Padley home with the Rev. E. J. Jeffrey officiating. Two hymns were sun by Mrs. B. B. Freye and V. P. Langler with Miss Edith Langler at the piano.

Members of the G. A. R. -- Frank Tirrill, James Fairman, John Jesmore, John Morter, and Charles Loper -- acted as honorary pall bearers while the active pall bearers were G. H. Vanderpoel, W. A. Caldow, Charles Mandeville, B. B. Frey, Frank Heft, and Nels Thompson. Burial was at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

Relatives from away who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. A. Roy Vaughn and daughter, Kathryn, Chicago; Mrs. E. H. Cooper and daughter, Audry Jane, Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Sid Laughlin and daughter, Dorothy, Poynette; Miss Vera Laughlin, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clark, Portage; T. S. Wells, Merrimack; and Mrs. Fred Alcock.

Photograph showing an elderly Sidney Wells, who served in Company H, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, part of the Iron Brigade, during the Civil War. The undated black and white photograph is oval shaped and adhered to a rectangular cardboard support. In it, Wells is standing alone in front of a wooden wall and is wearing a coat and hat, as well as a medal and a ribbon on his chest. The ribbon identifies him as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic George H. Irwin Post No. 25 from Lodi, Wisconsin, and the medal appears to be from a G.A.R. national encampment.

"Mr. Wells is the son of Mr. T. S. Wells, of the village of Lodi; he was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1839; his parents removed to St. Charles, Ill.; then to Columbia Co. in 1846. Mr. Wells enlisted in the spring of 1861, in the 2d W. V. I.; served three years and two months; was at the first battle of Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg; then served as wagon-master for balance of term of enlistment. He was married
to Margaret Laughlin; they have five children-Orpha L., Clara, Pearley, Addie and Amos. Mr. Wells owns a farm in the town of West Point."

Sidney Wells enlisted 24 April 1861 in Company H, 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. He was 21 years old and single. He mustered out 29 June 1864 when his term expired.