Charles Russell Leonard died on Monday, Nov. 23, 1908. Notice of his funeral was printed in The Journal (Groton, New York) on November 25, 1908, and a "card" of thanks was published on December 2, 1908, by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells and Mrs. Chas. Leonard.
It took a long time to find this obituary, simply because Charles' name was abbreviated as "Chas." and it doesn't offer much information. A more interesting notice was published the following week. "A Card...to thank neighbors and friends for their kindness and sympathy during the illness and death of Charles Leonard". It was signed "Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells" and "Mrs. Chas. Leonard".
It seems safe to assume "Mrs. Chas. Leonard" is referring to Luella, his second wife, who he was living with in Groton in 1905, but who were Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Wells and how were they involved?
A search for men named Charles Wells in the Groton area in 1908 produced two matches:
Charles E. Wells in Groton in 1900. He was married to Ina Legg, but he died in 1904, prior to this notice being published.
Charles Hyde Wells who was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York, abt. 1839. He was counted on the census in Pompey until 1880. [FamilySearch] In 1865 there was a "Boarder" named John Leonard, age 26, living in the Wells home in Pompey. He was formerly in the Army. [FamilySearch] On the 1892, 1900, 1905, 1910, and 1920 censuses Charles Wells was living in Cortland, where he died on June 30, 1922. His wife's name was Lydia L. Wells. Her obituary claims she was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, on Aug. 8, 1840. The closest matches in Pompey in 1850 were: Lydia L. Haskins (b. 1844), Lydia A. Marsh (b. 1836), and Lydia L. Rice (b. 1837). Charles & Lydia Wells had five children in their home: Amelia (Wells) Dunn, William H. Wells, John Wells, Eugene Charles Wells, and Nellie E. (Wells) Wood. I spent a few days sorting through the paper trails hoping to find a connection, to no avail. Following is a summary of what I found and shared on Charles Hyde Wells' Wikitree.
Timeline of Events:
1850 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Asa Wells (age 76?), born in CT
Chloe Wells (age 72 or 77?), born in CT
Levi Wells (age 43) - born in NY
Jane Wells (24) - born in NY
Mathew Wells (age 40) - born in NY, Laborer
Elzada Wells (age 31) - born in NY
Charles Wells (age 12) - born in NY, Farmer
Asa Wells died Feb. 4. 1854, age 79 yrs 6 mos. He is buried in Pompey Hill Cemetery. Findagrave memorial for Asa Wells
1860 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Elzada N. Wells, Female, age 40, b. NY, Farm Laborer
Charles Wells, age 22, b. NY, Farm Laborer
Lydia Wells, age 18, b. NY
Cloe Wells, age 82. b. CT
Hamilton Squires, age 16, Farm Laborer, b. NY
1865 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Elzada Wells, (Female) age 46, b. NY (1 child, married once, widowed)
Charles H. Wells, age 27 "Child", Farmer, (married once, married)
Lydia Wells, age 25 "Wife", (2 children, married once, married)
Lydia (Chloe?) Wells, age 86, "Mother", b. CT (8 children, married once, widowed)
Amelia Wells, age 4, "Grandchild", b. Onondaga County
William Wells, age 1, "Grandchild", b. Onondaga County
John Leonard, age 26, "Boarder", Farmer (Single, formerly in Army)
From the Cortland Democrat, Sept. 17. 1868:
"Sept. 11 - In the guardianship of John S., Eugene C., and Nellie E. Wells. Petition for appointment of guardian filed, guardians oath and bond filed and letters of guardianship issued to Lydia Wells, of Cortlandville."
1870 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Charles Wells, age 32, farmer $3500 real estate and $2625 personal estate
Lydia Wells, age 29, wife b. England?
Amelia Wells, age 10, b. NY
Nellie Wells, age 8, b. NY
John Wells, age 4, b. NY (lived in Los Angeles, CA in 1935)
Charles Wells age 2 mos? b. NY
Alzada Wells age 59, b. NY
Chloe Wells, age 92, b. CT
Chloe Wells died on Jan. 4, 1872, at the age of 93, and is buried in Pompey Hill Cemetery in Pompey. Findagrave memorial for Chloe Hyde Wells
1875 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Charles Wells, age 38, b. Onondaga, Married, Mail Carrier
Liddia Wells, age 34, Wife
Amelia Wells, age 13, Daughter
Willie Wells, age 11, Son
John Wells, age 8, Son
Eugena Wells, age 5, Son
Elzada Wells, age 56, "Mother"
1880 Census Pompey, Onondaga, New York FamilySearch:
Charles Wells, age 41, Farmer, Married
Lydia Wells, age 38, Keeping House
William Wells, age 16, Son
John Wells, age 13, Son
Eugene Wells, age 10, Son
Nellie Wells, age 3, "Son" (Daughter?)
Elzada Wells, age 63, Mother
Elzada Wells died March 23, 1891, in Cortland.
From the Syracuse Standard, Tues., Mar. 24, 1891, p. 3:
"Mrs. Elzada Wells died yesterday morning of consumption at the age of 72 years. The funeral will be held at the residence of her son, Charles Wells, to-morrow morning. The remains will be taken to Pompey."
From the Cortland Democrat, Fri., Mar. 27, 1891:
"DIED...WELLS- In Cortland, N.Y., March 23, 1891, Mrs. Elzada Wells, age 72 years."
1892 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
Charles H Wells, age 55, "Teamster"
Lydia M. Wells, age 52
Nellie E. Wells, age 16
From the Cortland Standard, Wed., Sept. 7, 1898:
"Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Frank Steward Wood and Miss Nellie Elzada Wells which will take place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wells, 167 Railroad Street in Cortland on Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, at 8 o'clock."
"WOOD-WELLS.
Two Cortland Young People United in the Bonds of Matrimony.
A merry gathering of friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Wells of 167 Railroad-st. last evening witnessed the marriage of their daughter, Miss Nellie B. Wells, and Mr. Frank S. Wood of Cortland. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. H. Pound, pastor of the Congregational church, in the presence of a few invited guests. The rooms were neatly trimmed for the occasion, and the ceremony took place under an arch of evergreens. A fine wedding supper was served, and then Mr. and Mrs. Wood left on the late train for New York, from which place they will go to New Haven, Ct., for a visit with relatives, and on their return will reside at 107 Railroad-st."
From The Syracuse Weekly Express, Thurs., Sept. 25, 1890:
"HOMER, Sept. 18 .- Eugene Wells of Cortland and Miss Belle Lawson of this village were married on Tuesday at the Methodist parsonage by the Rev. A. N. Damon."
1900 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
(167 Railroad Street, Cortland)
Charles Wells, born Jan. 1838, age 62, married 42 years, "Night Watch"
Lydia Wells, born Aug. 1840 in NY, age 59, married 42 years, five children all still living in 1900
Nellie E. Wood, "Daughter", born Dec 1876, age 23, married 2 years, no children, parents born in England.
Frank S. Wood, "Son-in-law", born Apr. 1873, age 27, married 2 years
1905 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
(167 Railroad Street, Cortland)
Chas. H Wells, age 68 (est. 1837) "Night Watch", b. NY, parents born in NY
Lydia M. Wells, age 65,
1910 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
(167 Railroad Street, Cortland)
Chas. H. Wells, age 72, married 51 years, Night Watchman at Lumber Yard
Lydia Wells, wife, age 62, married 51 years, 5 children, all still living in 1910.
From The Cortland Standard, Mon. Aug 28, 1916:
"Mrs. Clarence Dunn of Pompey and Mrs. Charles Wells of Cortland visited at the home of their brother and son, Eugene Wells in Wall-st., on Saturday."
1920 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
(South Ave)
Frank S. Wood, age 47, "Com. Traveler; Groceries"
Nellie F. Wood, age 43 "Wife"
Chas. H. Wells, age 82 "Father-in-law"
Lydia Wells, age 79 "Mother-in-law"
Charles H. Wells died on June 30, 1922, in Cortland, New York.
From the Cortland Democrat, Fri., July 7, 1922, p. 5:
"DIED...WELLS - In Cortland, June 30, Charles H. Wells, aged 84 years, and 6 months."
From the Binghamton Press, Wed., July 5, 1922:
"Charles H. Wells died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank S. Wood at 130 South Main Street. Mr. Wells was born in Pompey 84 years ago. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Clarence Dunn of Pompey and Mrs. Wood of Cortland, and three sons, Eugene Wells of Homer, William H. Wells of Groton, and John B. Wells of Denver, Col. The funeral was held Monday."
1925 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
Lydia M. Wells, age 84 "Mother-in-law"
1930 Census Cortland, Cortland, New York FamilySearch:
Frank S. Wood, age 56
Nellie E. Wood, age 53
Lydia Wells, age 89 "Mother-in-law"
From The Syracuse Journal, Sat., Jan. 12, 1935:
"Mrs. Amelia H. Dunn - Mrs. Amelia H. Dunn, 74, died here Friday. Surviving are three brothers, William Wells of Groton, John Wells of Los Angeles, Calif., and Eugene Wells of Homer; a sister, Mrs. Frank Wood of Cortland; a granddaughter, Mrs. Leora M. Wright of Georgetown; a grandson, Clarence B. Van Brocklin of Manlius; a great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in the rooms of C. G. Hall, funeral director, in Lafayette. Interment will be in Pompey."
Other Sources
Walworth, Reuben Hyde, Hyde genealogy, or, The descendants, in the female as well as in the male lines, from William Hyde, of Norwich (Albany, 1864), Vol. 1, p. 412-413
Other possible connections:
From The Dryden Herald, Wed., Apr. 13, 1904: "Mrs. Charles Wells was called to Cortland on Saturday by the severe illness of her daughter, Maude, who is suffering from an attack of the measles. The condition of the patient was reported on Monday to be slightly improved. Charles Wells went to Cortland on Tuesday to see his daughter." From Dryden Rural News, March 30, 1938: "Extracted from a letter written by Mrs. Charles Wells in Anchorage, Alaska, to her brother Egbert McMasters of Brooktondale..." (regarding her trip to Alaska). From The Syracuse Weekly Express, Thurs., Oct. 9, 1890: Montezuma - "Mrs. Charles Wells and her children of Auburn and her mother, Mrs. Josephine Rogers of Rose Valley, were visiting friends in town last week".
If anyone knows the connection between Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wells and Charles Leonard, please share!
See the Leonard page for more.
Research Notes:
Before finding these, I searched the following newspapers for Charles Leonard's obituary:
Moravia NY Republican Register 1908 - 1912
Auburn NY Democrat Argus 1908 - 1909 (Mentions: Herman Leonard's estate and heirs: Susan Leonard, widow, George H. Leonard, son, and David E. Wallace, stepson. (April, 1908). Also, Patrick Leonard, father of Mrs. Michael Coleman.)
Union Springs NY Advertiser 1908-1911 - (Mentions: Charles Leonard of Farmer)
Interlakin NY Interlaken Review 1908-1910 (searched as given, sic)
Newspaper Auburn NY Weekly Auburnian 1885 - 1888
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