Moving on...

So I'm moving on the next branch of the family, but I'm keeping all my "feelers" out there and will update with anything else I find.  Also, as new documents become available from various sources and new information is added to websites, I'll update this website.  If you have any information about the Wells family, or think you might be related to us, please contact me! Happy Genealogical Hunting!!

Charles Franklin Wells

His childhood records can be found with his family here (1880) and here (1900).


Charles Franklin Wells was born on 28 Mar 1875 in Mississippi, USA as the fifth child of Andrew Miller Wells and Sarah C. West. He had seven siblings, namely: Wilburn L, Mysora A., George W., Joseph Quince, Levy H., Arta D, and Alice L.. He died in 1948. When he was 27, He married Mary K Unknown about 1903 in Louisville, Winston, Mississippi, USA.

Charles Franklin Wells was buried in Louisville, Winston, Mississippi, USA. He lived in Winston, Mississippi, United States in 1880. He lived in Webster, Winston, Mississippi in 1900. He lived in Beat 3, Winston, Mississippi in 1910. He lived in Webster, Winston, Mississippi in 1920. He lived in Webster, Winston, Mississippi in 1930. He lived in Southeast, Winston, Mississippi, United States on 01 Apr 1940.

Charles Franklin Wells and Mary K Unknown had the following children (he adopted the oldest two children.  You'll notice on the first census they appear in that their last name is McAlister, but after he adopted them, they were named Wells from then on):

1. Hughie Leon Wells was born on 14 Jul 1907. He died on 13 Jul 1954.  I didn't find any children for him yet, but I did find this picture of his gravestone, so I have his wife's name as well.

2. Lela R McAlister Wells was born in 1910 in Mississippi.
3. Mary Ellen Wells was born in 1914 in Mississippi.

1910 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

1920 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

1930 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

1940 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

Andrew Miller Wells

Here is Joseph's father.  I've gone through him and all his children for a first "look-through".  Here's what I have so far.

Andrew Miller Wells was born on 08 Mar 1839 in Rutherford County, North Carolina (he was 21 years old living by himself in Mississippi in 1860, I find it hard to believe he wasn't somehow involved in the Civil War, so I'm going to be looking farther into that, but so far, nothing). He died on 15 Aug 1919 in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA (Buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Winston Co, MS). When he was 27, He married Sarah C. West on 15 Jan 1867 in Winston, Mississippi, USA.

Andrew Miller Wells lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, United States in 1860. He lived in Township 16 Range 12, Winston, Mississippi, United States in 1870. He lived in Winston, Mississippi, United States in 1880. He lived in Webster, Winston, Mississippi in 1900. He lived in Beat 3, Winston, Mississippi in 1910.  All the Census records are below except for 1880 and it can be found here.

Andrew Miller Wells and Sarah C. West had the following children:

1. Wilburn L Wells was born in Feb 1868 in Mississippi, USA.

2. Mysora A. Wells was born in Aug 1869 in Mississippi, USA.

3. George W. Wells was born in Jul 1872 in Mississippi, USA.

4. Joseph Quince Wells was born in May 1874 in Mississippi, USA. He married Delanie Upchurch on 31 Dec 1896 in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA.

5. Charles Franklin Wells was born on 28 Mar 1875 in Mississippi, USA. He died in 1948. He married Mary K Unknown about 1903 in Louisville, Winston, Mississippi, USA.

6. Levy H. Wells was born on 12 Sep 1878 in Mississippi, USA. He died on 08 Sep 1883 in Mississippi, USA (Buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Winston Co, MS).

7. Arta D Wells was born in Sep 1880 in Mississippi, USA.

8. Alice L. Wells was born in Aug 1884 in Mississippi, USA.

1860 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA

1870 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA

1900 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

1910 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

Polly Bell Wells

She was living with her parents in 1910, so you can find that census record here.
She married the brother of Andrew Joseph Taylor (Willie Lee's husband).  Even though I know that information, I still can't find much of anything about their lives together.  Here is what I do know...

Polly Bell Wells was born on 17 Nov 1903 in Mississippi, USA as the fourth child of Joseph Quince Wells and Delanie Upchurch. She had four siblings, namely: Bettie Ann, Bertrum Lester, Willie Lou, and Bessie. She died on 01 Oct 1986 in San Diego, California, USA.

She lived in Beat 4, Oktibbeha, Mississippi in 1910. She lived in Beat 4, Monroe, Mississippi in 1920. She lived in St Louis, St Louis (Independent City), Missouri in 1930. She lived in San Diego, San Diego, California, United States on 01 Apr 1940. 

William Ely Taylor and Polly Bell Wells had the following children.  Again, I can't find much on any of these children.  I did find out a little bit about Lester Norwood Taylor.  I'll include his obituary under his name, but I've searched for his wife and son, and can't find anything.  I'm amazed that there aren't even any current family trees with these people in it.  In 1995, all of Lester siblings were still alive, so I can't believe I can't find anything.  I'm sure his sisters got married, so they wouldn't be under Taylor, but until I have a hint or clue as to what their last name may be now, I'm stuck:

1. Eugene Jefferson Taylor was born on 04 Mar 1919 in Mississippi, USA.

2. Lester Norwood Taylor was born on 04 Jan 1921 in Mississippi, USA.
      "San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Saturday, July 1, 1995
Deceased Name: TAYLOR -- Lester N.
TAYLOR -- Lester N., 74, passed away June 29, 1995. Survived by his wife of 52 years Lillian V. Taylor, his son Lester N. Taylor II of Valley Center. Grandfather of 3 and great grandfather of 2. 2 Sisters and 1 brother. Employed by Safeway Stores for 29 years and member of Past Pulldate Club. No services are planned. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to San Diego Hospice. Private Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  PACIFIC BEACH MORTUARY 488-5553"

3. Olgia Ruth Taylor was born in 1923 in Mississippi, USA.

4. Lee Helen Taylor was born in 1925 in Mississippi, USA.

1920 US Federal Census - Beat 4, Monroe, Mississippi, USA.

1930 US Federal Census - St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

1940 US Federal Census - San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.

 To-do List:
1. Keep working on their children.
2. Look for marriage license.

Willie Lou Wells

I was able to find quite a bit about her, but I haven't found out when or where she died.  Here is what I have so far...


Willie Lou Wells was born in Apr 1900 in Mississippi, USA as the third child of Joseph Quince Wells and Delanie Upchurch. She had four siblings, namely: Bettie Ann, Bertrum Lester, Polly Bell (married Andrew Taylor's brother and lived in all the same places that Willie lived), and Bessie (she's living with Willie in 1920 because both of their parents had already passed away.)  She married Andrew Joseph Taylor about 1914

Willie Lou Wells lived in Beat 4, Oktibbeha, Mississippi in 1900. She lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA in 1910. She lived in Beat 4, Monroe, Mississippi in 1920. She lived in Aberdeen, Monroe, Mississippi in 1930. She lived in St Louis, St Louis City, Missouri, United States on 01 Apr 1940.  The 1900 and 1910 Census records can be found here.  The others are below.  You'll notice in one of the census records it asks the age at their first marriage, and her answer was 14!! Wow!

Andrew Joseph Taylor and Willie Lou Wells had the following children... I was unable to find out ANYTHING about these children.  I will have to do a more exhaustive search on my next trip around, but for my regular search places, I came up with nothing.  I did find out about birth and death for a couple of them, but I couldn't find spouses or children for any of them!  :(

1. Lovie Lucille Taylor
2. Joseph Andrew Taylor
3. Ethel S Taylor
4. Nera D Taylor
5. Fannie M Taylor
6. Jewel Taylor
7. Doris Taylor
8. Annie M Taylor
9. Marvel R Taylor
10. George R Taylor
11. Frederick A Taylor

1920 US Federal Census - Beat 4, Monroe, Mississippi, USA

1930 US Federal Census - Aberdeen, Monroe, Mississippi, USA

1940 US Federal Census - St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

To do:
1. Find marriage certificate.  (It must be under their initials or misspelled in some kind of way because all the regular searches have turned up nothing)
2. Find out where/when she died.  Maybe Andrew's death information will help with that, or maybe I'll find a clue as I'm going through her children.

Joseph Q Wells

I am stuck.  There are sooooo many people who were born in Mississippi around 1874 named Joe/Joseph Wells... Nobody can say that genealogy is boring when you have problems like this!  I am trying to go through them one at a time and narrow down who his parents might be, but in the mean time, I'll check out his children.  Maybe through one of them, I can find out more about him.  Here is what my software says about him so far...   ****UPDATE!!  I have found who I believe are his parents.  See below for the extras I added.

Joseph Q. Wells was born in May 1874 in Mississippi.  He died after 1916. When he was 22, He married Delanie Upchurch on 31 Dec 1896 in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA.

He lived in Beat 4, Oktibbeha, Mississippi in 1900. He lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA in 1910.  (Both of these census records can be found here).

Joseph Q. Wells and Delanie Upchurch had the following children:

1. Bettie Ann Wells
2. Bertrum Lester Wells was born on 11 Dec 1897 in Mississippi, USA. He died on 30 Sep 1900 in Mississippi, USA (Buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Winston, Mississippi, USA).
3. Willie Lou Wells
4. Polly B Wells
5. Bessie Wells  (I can see that when she died her last name was Ketter, but again, I'm at a loss as to where to go next.  I cannot find her in the 1930 or 1940 census, and I've checked many different ways).  I'm stopping her and coming back later!


****UPDATE:  I looked through the results of a search of the 1880 Census records for Mississippi and found 3 possible matches for our Joseph Q Wells.  One of the birthdates didn't match up to what I knew to be correct from the census records that I have.  So I had just two possibilities, and with my mother-in-law's help (she led me to this website), I found this entry at this website...

DELORVY WELLS   08/04/1876- 07/07/1913    WESLEY UPCHURCH/ BETTIE LANKFORD--- Joe Wells___ PLEASANT  HILL  

Based on the information I have about Joe's wife (Delaney Upchurch), and I already knew her death date and it matched up, so I now had a cemetery (Pleasant Hill).  I then googled Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Oktibbeha County Mississippi, and nothing came back.  I saw that one of the two families that I had narrowed down for possibly being my Joseph listed Winston County Mississippi as their home in 1880, so I decided to try it out.  I searched for Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Winston County Mississippi and I was taken to this website and saw these entries...

WELLS ANDREW M COK,MS, INF
WELLS BERTUM LESTER 10-11-1897 09/30/1900
WELLS CORDIE BEATRESS 04/06/1902 09/27/1902
WELLS LEVI H 9-12-1878 9-8-1883

Based on the information that I have on Joe's children, I know that Bertrum Lester was his son who died just before turning 3 years old, so this matched up, and then I looked at the list and saw that the Andrew M Wells listed at the top was the father of one of the Joe's that I had on my list.  So I began to do some searches for Andrew M Wells, and found that he had a son named Levi(Levy) whose birth date matched up with the birth date for the person in the cemetery.  

The one question I still have is where is Delaney(Delorvy)Wells in this cemetery.  She isn't listed on the list for the cemetery, but the location of the cemetery is only about 3 and half hours from my hometown, so when I go visit home this summer, I'm going to drive over and scour the cemetery to find her and see if I can find some dates for Andrew that match up with what I found about him on this site.  

MILLER ANDREW WELLS 03/08/1844-08/15/1919 SAM WELLS ___________________PLEASANT HILL  

So now, I'm moving onto looking up the rest of Joe's children. Then I'll skip back and check out Andrew M and his children (Joe's siblings).  Thanks for all the help I got figuring this out!!!

1880 US Federal Census - Winston, Mississippi, USA.

Bettie Ann Wells

I'm starting the Wells' family with Bettie Ann Wells because I have first hand knowledge about her.  After that, I'm using records.  Here is her information from my Family Tree Maker genealogy program.

Bettie Ann Wells was born in Oct 1896 in Mississippi, USA as the first child of Joseph Q. Wells and Delanie Upchurch. She had four siblings, namely: Bertrum Lester, Willie, Polly B, and Bessie. She died about 1950 in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA. When she was 16, She married Charles Randolph McClelland,son of Benjamin Pinkman McClelland and Sarah Elizabeth Dawkins, about 1913 in Mississippi, USA.

Bettie Ann Wells lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA in 1900. She lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA in 1910. She lived in Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA in 1920. She lived in Aberdeen, Monroe, Mississippi, USA in 1930. She lived in St Louis, St Louis City, Missouri, United States on 01 Apr 1940.  All of these census records are pictured below.

Charles Randolph McClelland and Bettie Ann Wells had the following children:

1.      Mavis Lucille McClelland was born on 12 Sep 1914 in Mississippi, USA. She died on 01 Feb 1996 in Sun City Center, Hillsborough, Florida, USA (Buried in St. Louis, MO).  She never had any children.

2.      Margaret Hazel McClelland 

3.      Earl Wayne McClelland 

4.      Ruby McClelland 

5.     Agnes Madeline McClelland 

6.     Paul Randolph McClelland 

I've just about finished all of Bettie's children and their children, but there are a few holes left to fill.  

1900 US Census - Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA

1910 US Census - Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA

1920 US Census - Oktibbeha, Mississippi, USA

1930 US Census - Aberdeen, Mississippi, USA

1940 US Census - St. Louis, Missouri, USA

To-Do Next:

1. Check the census records from her childhood to make sure about siblings and parents' names. 

2. Begin search for parents/siblings and their descendants.

3. Find out why and when exactly they moved from MS to MO.