Melvin Wells,
1902-1981
Obituary
Melvin E. Wells
1902:
Melvin Wells’ parents, George Wells (1862-1914) and Lizzie (Hughes) Wells
(1870-1954), came from Iowa and purchased the Emmanuel Smith farm in Corinna
Township on the shores of Cedar Lake.
There was an old log cabin, a log barn, an open well and 172 acres.
Arrival here was in March 1902 and three months later, Melvin was born,
one of eight children and the oldest boy. The children were Aleathe, Velma,
Nellie, Genevieve, Melvin, Homer, Herbert (1906-1973) and Hazel, also a
half-brother, Jay, and half-sister, Maude, children of George and Nettie
(Rockwell) Wells, who died March 13, 1889.
1903:
In the fall of 1903, Melvin’s parents purchased the adjoining resort of
38 acres from Gerrit and Celia VanDyke.
They moved to the resort grounds and named the resort Cottage Grove.
1908:
In April 1908 they sold Cottage Grove resort to F.S. Mears and moved back
to the farm. George Wells’ farm
operations were successful with excellent stock, modern barn, swine barn, and
other farm buildings. He
manufactured maple syrup.
1909:
George Wells started a new and larger scale resort with the erection of a
$6,000 lake hotel and 20 cottages.
1914:
Melvin’s father, George E. Wells (1862-1914), died November 14, 1914.
Lizzie Wells continued with the farm and the resort
1920:
At age 18, Melvin joined the Woodsmen Lodge and was still a member in
1976.
1924:
Melvin Wells and Mildred Sparks were married in October 192.
Three daughters were born:
Elouise (Juetten), Ardis (Twiss) and Evelyn (Peterson).
Melvin rented the farm from his mother.
In 1924 Melvin
became a member of the Heberling School Board, serving for 26 years.
1928:
Melvin was elected as clerk of the Corinna Township board and served for
25 years. He was instrumental in starting the Wright County Farm Bureau and
served as chairman of the Corinna Southside Bureau and also served on the Wright
County Board.
1929:
Melvin helped organized the Annandale Cooperative Creamery.
He was on the board for 27 years serving as secretary for six years and
as president.
1933:
Melvin helped organize a Canning Association in St. Cloud for canning
peas, corn and string beans. He
spent almost 30 years in this work, was field man until 1950 and then elected
manager.
1948:
Melvin joined the Fair Haven Masonic Lodge No, 182.
In 1955 he served as Master and again in 1964.
He was also a member of the Royal Arch Lodge in Buffalo, Nazarene
Commandry No. 24 in St. Cloud and the Zurah Shrine in Minneapolis.
1952:
A fire in July 1952 wiped out everything except the house and garage.
1957:
Melvin sold his purebred herd, giving him more time to serve on various
committees and assuming office responsibilities as manager of the Central
Minnesota Processers Association.
1962:
Melvin remodeled the new barn into six apartments.
He also converted the upstairs of the big house into apartments.
1863:
Melvin suffered a heart attack.
1975:
Melvin and Mildred built a new log house on the exact spot of the
original log cabin. After moving in
they converted the downstairs of the big house into an apartment.
1976:
At the age of 74, Melvin was still farming, although only 150 acres were
under cultivation, the remaining acreage sold as lots in a housing development.
He served as board member of the
Annandale Methodist Church. His
first church, where he attended Sunday school, was the North Corinna Methodist
Church, which consolidated with the Annandale Methodist in 1914.
The church building became
Twedt’s store. There is a cemetery at the
site of the former church.
1976: Mildred A. Wells (1903-1976) was killed in a car accident near Cokato. She was a member of Silver Leaf Rebekah Lodge, Wright County Farm Bureau, Neighborhood Club, Wright County Historical Society and was a 4-H leader. She worked with Wright County Extension, Senior Citizens, Bloodmobile volunteer, and many other community services.
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