James Monroe Wells was the son of John Monroe Wells and Martha Price. James married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee on the 10th of October, 1883. James Monroe Wells was the grandson of James L. Price and Tabitha Ray.
History of Texas and Texans:
James Monroe Wells. Among the older merchants in Bonham, Texas, none holds a higher place in the esteem of his fellows than James Monroe Wells. Mr. Wells has been engaged in business in the city for upwards of a third of a century and his business has grown steadily until he is now the senior partner of one of the leading mercantile establishments in Bonham. He is a man of keen business sense, undoubted executive ability and a capacity for handling many different matters at the same time. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of the city and has the respect of the community and his wealth has not been gained at the expense of others.
James Monroe Wells was born February 19, 1854, in Bibb County, Alabama. His father was John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) who was born in Autauga County, Alabama. John "Jack" Wells (1790-1868) the father of John M. Wells was born in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was a soldier during the war of 1812 and after he grew to manhood moved to Autauga County, Alabama where he spent the remainder of his life, and died in September of 1868. He was engaged in brick contracting and building in Alabama during his active career, but his last days were spent in managing his plantation, and both he and his son, John Monroe Wells were slaveholders. He married Didamia Smith August 13th, 181 in Putnam County, Georgia. They were the parents of the following children: Amanda Maude Wells (1823-1858) died in Chestnut Creek, Autauga, Alabama who married Dennis E. Askins; Matilda C. Wells (1825-1902) died in Verbena, Chilton, Ala. who married George W. Farr; Kineon D. Wells (1827-1897) died in Clanton, Chilton, Ala. who married Sarah Ann Price; John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) died in Paris, Lamar, Texas who married Martha Jane Price daughter of James L. Price and Tabitha (Ray) Price; 2nd wife was to Emma M. Love; David Nicholson Wells (1832-1875) died in Bibb County, Ala. who married Mary Jane "Mollie" Strange; James Thomas Wells (1834-1850) died in Shelby County, Ala.; Harriett Lucinda Wells (1837-1880) died in Chilton County, Ala. married Benjamin "Ben" Wilson Scarbrough; Dr. William Miles Wells (1840-1916) died in Ardmore, Durant, Oklahoma married Zorilda "Zoe" Elizabeth Melton; Mary Ann Wells (1842-1886) died in Chilton County, Ala. married William Green "Bud" Easterling; Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth Caroline Wells (1845-1915) died in Edmonson County, Kentucky, married Pleasant Vincent.
With the above large family there was not much money for education, an education in those days was an expensive matter indeed, so John M. Wells grew up on the plantation and when he came of age he became a planter. When the Civil war broke out he hastened to enlist for no man believed in the cause of the Confederacy more firmly than did he. He was a lieutenant in a company which formed part of the command of General Joe Wheeler during the early part of the war, and after his service in this section of the army was at an end, he returned to Alabama where he became assistant superintendent of the Navy Iron Works, at Briarfield, Alabama. After two years spent in this work he again re-entered the active service and as a forage master in the commissary department of the army served till the end of the war. He was one of the few Confederates who would not take the oath of allegiance to the United States and in consequence he had no rights of citizenship until the general amnesty act gave him the right to vote just prior to his death. In 1867 he moved to Texas and settled on Blue Prairie where he lived until his death at the comparatively young age of forty-two. He married Miss Martha Price, a daughter of James L. Price, who was a planter in Autauga County, Alabama. Martha Price died on March 11, 1862, in Randolph, Bibb, Alabama leaving three children, Martha Tabitha Jane "Minnie" Wells (1832-1862) who married Marcus Sylvester Cabiness, 2nd marriage was to John Mitchell "Mitch" Hancock and died in Cleburne, Texas in 1883; James Monroe Wells Jr. (1854-1934) died in Bonham, married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee; Mary Ann "Mollie" Wells (1856-1906- married Thomas Joseph Humphrey and lived in Paris, Texas at the time of her death. John Monroe Wells 2nd marriage was to Emma M. Love on 24 Apr 1867 in Autauga, Ala., and they had two children, Thomas David Wells (1868-1934) died in Paris, Texas married Nina Simmons; Annie Frances Wells (1870-1947) died in Paris, Texas married Dr. Thomas Charles Geron.
James Monroe Wells (1854-1934) when he came to Texas his education was received largely in private schools and his first venture in the way of earning his living was teaching school. He later clerked for a time, and then he took a commercial course in a business school in Dallas, Texas, in preparation for a business career. He earned the money for his education himself and his reputation for hard work won him a position with Thomas Forbes, Jr., & Co., who was head of a cotton firm in Sherman at the time. He was sent by the latter as a cotton buyer to Bonham and for three years was thus engaged. He then organized the firm of J. M. Wells and Company, handling cotton in Bonham, and while thuse engaged in the cotton business he had an opportunity to make many friends, and this wide acquaintance served him well later on. He was a member of the above firm for seven years, and then, in 1890, associated himself with Zac Smith and the two engaged in a mercantile business under the name of W. A. Nunnelee and Company. This was one of the old and reliable firms of the city, a fact that was strongly in favor of the young merchants, Mr. Nunnelee having a reputation for integrity and ability that made his name a power. After seven years the two partners dropped the old name and appeared under the firm name of Wells and Smith. They conducted the business with success for three years when Mr. Smith sold his interest to Robert L. Nunnelee and the firm now became known as Wells and Nunnelee. After a decade of business under this name, Thomas Hunphrey purchased a third interest in the business and since 1910, Wells, Nunnelee and Humphrey has been the cognoment of this house.
The above firm handles one of the largest businesses in the city and in addition to this establishment, Mr. Wells in interested in other enterprises equally as important. In 1894 he aided in the organization of the Bonham Wholesale Grocery Company, and is now vice president, a member of the board of directors and the largest stock-holders in the company. He is one of the group of men who promoted the Bonham Cotton Mills and is a director and one of the largest stockholders. This factory which was established in 1901, is an important industry of this place. The great cotton fields of Fannin and other nearby counties are tributary to it, and the venture has proved to be a most successful one.
The mill employs skilled labor as well as common labor and has a large clerical force, so the payroll sustains a considerable element of the city's population. Mr. Wells is also director of the First National Bank and owns a large block of stock.
Mr. Wells is also interested in an industry of an entirely different kind. In 1900 he purchased three thousand acres of land near Vernon, Texas, and leased this extensive grass land to raise horses and mules from the finest of stock.
The growth of Mr. Wells' business interest have effectually prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs. He was never cared for office and has contented himself with casting his vote as a member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he has been active in the Baptist church for many years, having been deacon for along time, and having been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a Master Mason and belonging to the chapter and commandery.
Mr. Wells was married in Bonham, Texas, on the 10th of October, 1883 to Miss Mary Nunnelee, a daughter of Simeon and Erveline (Pace) Nunnelee. Her father came here in 1846 from Dallas County, Alabama and was one of the very early and prominent men of his day here.
History of Texas and Texans:
James Monroe Wells. Among the older merchants in Bonham, Texas, none holds a higher place in the esteem of his fellows than James Monroe Wells. Mr. Wells has been engaged in business in the city for upwards of a third of a century and his business has grown steadily until he is now the senior partner of one of the leading mercantile establishments in Bonham. He is a man of keen business sense, undoubted executive ability and a capacity for handling many different matters at the same time. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of the city and has the respect of the community and his wealth has not been gained at the expense of others.
James Monroe Wells was born February 19, 1854, in Bibb County, Alabama. His father was John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) who was born in Autauga County, Alabama. John "Jack" Wells (1790-1868) the father of John M. Wells was born in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was a soldier during the war of 1812 and after he grew to manhood moved to Autauga County, Alabama where he spent the remainder of his life, and died in September of 1868. He was engaged in brick contracting and building in Alabama during his active career, but his last days were spent in managing his plantation, and both he and his son, John Monroe Wells were slaveholders. He married Didamia Smith August 13th, 181 in Putnam County, Georgia. They were the parents of the following children: Amanda Maude Wells (1823-1858) died in Chestnut Creek, Autauga, Alabama who married Dennis E. Askins; Matilda C. Wells (1825-1902) died in Verbena, Chilton, Ala. who married George W. Farr; Kineon D. Wells (1827-1897) died in Clanton, Chilton, Ala. who married Sarah Ann Price; John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) died in Paris, Lamar, Texas who married Martha Jane Price daughter of James L. Price and Tabitha (Ray) Price; 2nd wife was to Emma M. Love; David Nicholson Wells (1832-1875) died in Bibb County, Ala. who married Mary Jane "Mollie" Strange; James Thomas Wells (1834-1850) died in Shelby County, Ala.; Harriett Lucinda Wells (1837-1880) died in Chilton County, Ala. married Benjamin "Ben" Wilson Scarbrough; Dr. William Miles Wells (1840-1916) died in Ardmore, Durant, Oklahoma married Zorilda "Zoe" Elizabeth Melton; Mary Ann Wells (1842-1886) died in Chilton County, Ala. married William Green "Bud" Easterling; Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth Caroline Wells (1845-1915) died in Edmonson County, Kentucky, married Pleasant Vincent.
With the above large family there was not much money for education, an education in those days was an expensive matter indeed, so John M. Wells grew up on the plantation and when he came of age he became a planter. When the Civil war broke out he hastened to enlist for no man believed in the cause of the Confederacy more firmly than did he. He was a lieutenant in a company which formed part of the command of General Joe Wheeler during the early part of the war, and after his service in this section of the army was at an end, he returned to Alabama where he became assistant superintendent of the Navy Iron Works, at Briarfield, Alabama. After two years spent in this work he again re-entered the active service and as a forage master in the commissary department of the army served till the end of the war. He was one of the few Confederates who would not take the oath of allegiance to the United States and in consequence he had no rights of citizenship until the general amnesty act gave him the right to vote just prior to his death. In 1867 he moved to Texas and settled on Blue Prairie where he lived until his death at the comparatively young age of forty-two. He married Miss Martha Price, a daughter of James L. Price, who was a planter in Autauga County, Alabama. Martha Price died on March 11, 1862, in Randolph, Bibb, Alabama leaving three children, Martha Tabitha Jane "Minnie" Wells (1832-1862) who married Marcus Sylvester Cabiness, 2nd marriage was to John Mitchell "Mitch" Hancock and died in Cleburne, Texas in 1883; James Monroe Wells Jr. (1854-1934) died in Bonham, married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee; Mary Ann "Mollie" Wells (1856-1906- married Thomas Joseph Humphrey and lived in Paris, Texas at the time of her death. John Monroe Wells 2nd marriage was to Emma M. Love on 24 Apr 1867 in Autauga, Ala., and they had two children, Thomas David Wells (1868-1934) died in Paris, Texas married Nina Simmons; Annie Frances Wells (1870-1947) died in Paris, Texas married Dr. Thomas Charles Geron.
James Monroe Wells (1854-1934) when he came to Texas his education was received largely in private schools and his first venture in the way of earning his living was teaching school. He later clerked for a time, and then he took a commercial course in a business school in Dallas, Texas, in preparation for a business career. He earned the money for his education himself and his reputation for hard work won him a position with Thomas Forbes, Jr., & Co., who was head of a cotton firm in Sherman at the time. He was sent by the latter as a cotton buyer to Bonham and for three years was thus engaged. He then organized the firm of J. M. Wells and Company, handling cotton in Bonham, and while thuse engaged in the cotton business he had an opportunity to make many friends, and this wide acquaintance served him well later on. He was a member of the above firm for seven years, and then, in 1890, associated himself with Zac Smith and the two engaged in a mercantile business under the name of W. A. Nunnelee and Company. This was one of the old and reliable firms of the city, a fact that was strongly in favor of the young merchants, Mr. Nunnelee having a reputation for integrity and ability that made his name a power. After seven years the two partners dropped the old name and appeared under the firm name of Wells and Smith. They conducted the business with success for three years when Mr. Smith sold his interest to Robert L. Nunnelee and the firm now became known as Wells and Nunnelee. After a decade of business under this name, Thomas Hunphrey purchased a third interest in the business and since 1910, Wells, Nunnelee and Humphrey has been the cognoment of this house.
The above firm handles one of the largest businesses in the city and in addition to this establishment, Mr. Wells in interested in other enterprises equally as important. In 1894 he aided in the organization of the Bonham Wholesale Grocery Company, and is now vice president, a member of the board of directors and the largest stock-holders in the company. He is one of the group of men who promoted the Bonham Cotton Mills and is a director and one of the largest stockholders. This factory which was established in 1901, is an important industry of this place. The great cotton fields of Fannin and other nearby counties are tributary to it, and the venture has proved to be a most successful one.
The mill employs skilled labor as well as common labor and has a large clerical force, so the payroll sustains a considerable element of the city's population. Mr. Wells is also director of the First National Bank and owns a large block of stock.
Mr. Wells is also interested in an industry of an entirely different kind. In 1900 he purchased three thousand acres of land near Vernon, Texas, and leased this extensive grass land to raise horses and mules from the finest of stock.
The growth of Mr. Wells' business interest have effectually prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs. He was never cared for office and has contented himself with casting his vote as a member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he has been active in the Baptist church for many years, having been deacon for along time, and having been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a Master Mason and belonging to the chapter and commandery.
Mr. Wells was married in Bonham, Texas, on the 10th of October, 1883 to Miss Mary Nunnelee, a daughter of Simeon and Erveline (Pace) Nunnelee. Her father came here in 1846 from Dallas County, Alabama and was one of the very early and prominent men of his day here.
James Monroe Wells was the son of John Monroe Wells and Martha Price. James married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee on the 10th of October, 1883. James Monroe Wells was the grandson of James L. Price and Tabitha Ray.
History of Texas and Texans:
James Monroe Wells. Among the older merchants in Bonham, Texas, none holds a higher place in the esteem of his fellows than James Monroe Wells. Mr. Wells has been engaged in business in the city for upwards of a third of a century and his business has grown steadily until he is now the senior partner of one of the leading mercantile establishments in Bonham. He is a man of keen business sense, undoubted executive ability and a capacity for handling many different matters at the same time. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of the city and has the respect of the community and his wealth has not been gained at the expense of others.
James Monroe Wells was born February 19, 1854, in Bibb County, Alabama. His father was John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) who was born in Autauga County, Alabama. John "Jack" Wells (1790-1868) the father of John M. Wells was born in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was a soldier during the war of 1812 and after he grew to manhood moved to Autauga County, Alabama where he spent the remainder of his life, and died in September of 1868. He was engaged in brick contracting and building in Alabama during his active career, but his last days were spent in managing his plantation, and both he and his son, John Monroe Wells were slaveholders. He married Didamia Smith August 13th, 181 in Putnam County, Georgia. They were the parents of the following children: Amanda Maude Wells (1823-1858) died in Chestnut Creek, Autauga, Alabama who married Dennis E. Askins; Matilda C. Wells (1825-1902) died in Verbena, Chilton, Ala. who married George W. Farr; Kineon D. Wells (1827-1897) died in Clanton, Chilton, Ala. who married Sarah Ann Price; John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) died in Paris, Lamar, Texas who married Martha Jane Price daughter of James L. Price and Tabitha (Ray) Price; 2nd wife was to Emma M. Love; David Nicholson Wells (1832-1875) died in Bibb County, Ala. who married Mary Jane "Mollie" Strange; James Thomas Wells (1834-1850) died in Shelby County, Ala.; Harriett Lucinda Wells (1837-1880) died in Chilton County, Ala. married Benjamin "Ben" Wilson Scarbrough; Dr. William Miles Wells (1840-1916) died in Ardmore, Durant, Oklahoma married Zorilda "Zoe" Elizabeth Melton; Mary Ann Wells (1842-1886) died in Chilton County, Ala. married William Green "Bud" Easterling; Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth Caroline Wells (1845-1915) died in Edmonson County, Kentucky, married Pleasant Vincent.
With the above large family there was not much money for education, an education in those days was an expensive matter indeed, so John M. Wells grew up on the plantation and when he came of age he became a planter. When the Civil war broke out he hastened to enlist for no man believed in the cause of the Confederacy more firmly than did he. He was a lieutenant in a company which formed part of the command of General Joe Wheeler during the early part of the war, and after his service in this section of the army was at an end, he returned to Alabama where he became assistant superintendent of the Navy Iron Works, at Briarfield, Alabama. After two years spent in this work he again re-entered the active service and as a forage master in the commissary department of the army served till the end of the war. He was one of the few Confederates who would not take the oath of allegiance to the United States and in consequence he had no rights of citizenship until the general amnesty act gave him the right to vote just prior to his death. In 1867 he moved to Texas and settled on Blue Prairie where he lived until his death at the comparatively young age of forty-two. He married Miss Martha Price, a daughter of James L. Price, who was a planter in Autauga County, Alabama. Martha Price died on March 11, 1862, in Randolph, Bibb, Alabama leaving three children, Martha Tabitha Jane "Minnie" Wells (1832-1862) who married Marcus Sylvester Cabiness, 2nd marriage was to John Mitchell "Mitch" Hancock and died in Cleburne, Texas in 1883; James Monroe Wells Jr. (1854-1934) died in Bonham, married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee; Mary Ann "Mollie" Wells (1856-1906- married Thomas Joseph Humphrey and lived in Paris, Texas at the time of her death. John Monroe Wells 2nd marriage was to Emma M. Love on 24 Apr 1867 in Autauga, Ala., and they had two children, Thomas David Wells (1868-1934) died in Paris, Texas married Nina Simmons; Annie Frances Wells (1870-1947) died in Paris, Texas married Dr. Thomas Charles Geron.
James Monroe Wells (1854-1934) when he came to Texas his education was received largely in private schools and his first venture in the way of earning his living was teaching school. He later clerked for a time, and then he took a commercial course in a business school in Dallas, Texas, in preparation for a business career. He earned the money for his education himself and his reputation for hard work won him a position with Thomas Forbes, Jr., & Co., who was head of a cotton firm in Sherman at the time. He was sent by the latter as a cotton buyer to Bonham and for three years was thus engaged. He then organized the firm of J. M. Wells and Company, handling cotton in Bonham, and while thuse engaged in the cotton business he had an opportunity to make many friends, and this wide acquaintance served him well later on. He was a member of the above firm for seven years, and then, in 1890, associated himself with Zac Smith and the two engaged in a mercantile business under the name of W. A. Nunnelee and Company. This was one of the old and reliable firms of the city, a fact that was strongly in favor of the young merchants, Mr. Nunnelee having a reputation for integrity and ability that made his name a power. After seven years the two partners dropped the old name and appeared under the firm name of Wells and Smith. They conducted the business with success for three years when Mr. Smith sold his interest to Robert L. Nunnelee and the firm now became known as Wells and Nunnelee. After a decade of business under this name, Thomas Hunphrey purchased a third interest in the business and since 1910, Wells, Nunnelee and Humphrey has been the cognoment of this house.
The above firm handles one of the largest businesses in the city and in addition to this establishment, Mr. Wells in interested in other enterprises equally as important. In 1894 he aided in the organization of the Bonham Wholesale Grocery Company, and is now vice president, a member of the board of directors and the largest stock-holders in the company. He is one of the group of men who promoted the Bonham Cotton Mills and is a director and one of the largest stockholders. This factory which was established in 1901, is an important industry of this place. The great cotton fields of Fannin and other nearby counties are tributary to it, and the venture has proved to be a most successful one.
The mill employs skilled labor as well as common labor and has a large clerical force, so the payroll sustains a considerable element of the city's population. Mr. Wells is also director of the First National Bank and owns a large block of stock.
Mr. Wells is also interested in an industry of an entirely different kind. In 1900 he purchased three thousand acres of land near Vernon, Texas, and leased this extensive grass land to raise horses and mules from the finest of stock.
The growth of Mr. Wells' business interest have effectually prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs. He was never cared for office and has contented himself with casting his vote as a member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he has been active in the Baptist church for many years, having been deacon for along time, and having been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a Master Mason and belonging to the chapter and commandery.
Mr. Wells was married in Bonham, Texas, on the 10th of October, 1883 to Miss Mary Nunnelee, a daughter of Simeon and Erveline (Pace) Nunnelee. Her father came here in 1846 from Dallas County, Alabama and was one of the very early and prominent men of his day here.
History of Texas and Texans:
James Monroe Wells. Among the older merchants in Bonham, Texas, none holds a higher place in the esteem of his fellows than James Monroe Wells. Mr. Wells has been engaged in business in the city for upwards of a third of a century and his business has grown steadily until he is now the senior partner of one of the leading mercantile establishments in Bonham. He is a man of keen business sense, undoubted executive ability and a capacity for handling many different matters at the same time. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of the city and has the respect of the community and his wealth has not been gained at the expense of others.
James Monroe Wells was born February 19, 1854, in Bibb County, Alabama. His father was John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) who was born in Autauga County, Alabama. John "Jack" Wells (1790-1868) the father of John M. Wells was born in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was a soldier during the war of 1812 and after he grew to manhood moved to Autauga County, Alabama where he spent the remainder of his life, and died in September of 1868. He was engaged in brick contracting and building in Alabama during his active career, but his last days were spent in managing his plantation, and both he and his son, John Monroe Wells were slaveholders. He married Didamia Smith August 13th, 181 in Putnam County, Georgia. They were the parents of the following children: Amanda Maude Wells (1823-1858) died in Chestnut Creek, Autauga, Alabama who married Dennis E. Askins; Matilda C. Wells (1825-1902) died in Verbena, Chilton, Ala. who married George W. Farr; Kineon D. Wells (1827-1897) died in Clanton, Chilton, Ala. who married Sarah Ann Price; John Monroe Wells (1830-1872) died in Paris, Lamar, Texas who married Martha Jane Price daughter of James L. Price and Tabitha (Ray) Price; 2nd wife was to Emma M. Love; David Nicholson Wells (1832-1875) died in Bibb County, Ala. who married Mary Jane "Mollie" Strange; James Thomas Wells (1834-1850) died in Shelby County, Ala.; Harriett Lucinda Wells (1837-1880) died in Chilton County, Ala. married Benjamin "Ben" Wilson Scarbrough; Dr. William Miles Wells (1840-1916) died in Ardmore, Durant, Oklahoma married Zorilda "Zoe" Elizabeth Melton; Mary Ann Wells (1842-1886) died in Chilton County, Ala. married William Green "Bud" Easterling; Sarah "Sally" Elizabeth Caroline Wells (1845-1915) died in Edmonson County, Kentucky, married Pleasant Vincent.
With the above large family there was not much money for education, an education in those days was an expensive matter indeed, so John M. Wells grew up on the plantation and when he came of age he became a planter. When the Civil war broke out he hastened to enlist for no man believed in the cause of the Confederacy more firmly than did he. He was a lieutenant in a company which formed part of the command of General Joe Wheeler during the early part of the war, and after his service in this section of the army was at an end, he returned to Alabama where he became assistant superintendent of the Navy Iron Works, at Briarfield, Alabama. After two years spent in this work he again re-entered the active service and as a forage master in the commissary department of the army served till the end of the war. He was one of the few Confederates who would not take the oath of allegiance to the United States and in consequence he had no rights of citizenship until the general amnesty act gave him the right to vote just prior to his death. In 1867 he moved to Texas and settled on Blue Prairie where he lived until his death at the comparatively young age of forty-two. He married Miss Martha Price, a daughter of James L. Price, who was a planter in Autauga County, Alabama. Martha Price died on March 11, 1862, in Randolph, Bibb, Alabama leaving three children, Martha Tabitha Jane "Minnie" Wells (1832-1862) who married Marcus Sylvester Cabiness, 2nd marriage was to John Mitchell "Mitch" Hancock and died in Cleburne, Texas in 1883; James Monroe Wells Jr. (1854-1934) died in Bonham, married Mary Ann "Mollie" Nunnelee; Mary Ann "Mollie" Wells (1856-1906- married Thomas Joseph Humphrey and lived in Paris, Texas at the time of her death. John Monroe Wells 2nd marriage was to Emma M. Love on 24 Apr 1867 in Autauga, Ala., and they had two children, Thomas David Wells (1868-1934) died in Paris, Texas married Nina Simmons; Annie Frances Wells (1870-1947) died in Paris, Texas married Dr. Thomas Charles Geron.
James Monroe Wells (1854-1934) when he came to Texas his education was received largely in private schools and his first venture in the way of earning his living was teaching school. He later clerked for a time, and then he took a commercial course in a business school in Dallas, Texas, in preparation for a business career. He earned the money for his education himself and his reputation for hard work won him a position with Thomas Forbes, Jr., & Co., who was head of a cotton firm in Sherman at the time. He was sent by the latter as a cotton buyer to Bonham and for three years was thus engaged. He then organized the firm of J. M. Wells and Company, handling cotton in Bonham, and while thuse engaged in the cotton business he had an opportunity to make many friends, and this wide acquaintance served him well later on. He was a member of the above firm for seven years, and then, in 1890, associated himself with Zac Smith and the two engaged in a mercantile business under the name of W. A. Nunnelee and Company. This was one of the old and reliable firms of the city, a fact that was strongly in favor of the young merchants, Mr. Nunnelee having a reputation for integrity and ability that made his name a power. After seven years the two partners dropped the old name and appeared under the firm name of Wells and Smith. They conducted the business with success for three years when Mr. Smith sold his interest to Robert L. Nunnelee and the firm now became known as Wells and Nunnelee. After a decade of business under this name, Thomas Hunphrey purchased a third interest in the business and since 1910, Wells, Nunnelee and Humphrey has been the cognoment of this house.
The above firm handles one of the largest businesses in the city and in addition to this establishment, Mr. Wells in interested in other enterprises equally as important. In 1894 he aided in the organization of the Bonham Wholesale Grocery Company, and is now vice president, a member of the board of directors and the largest stock-holders in the company. He is one of the group of men who promoted the Bonham Cotton Mills and is a director and one of the largest stockholders. This factory which was established in 1901, is an important industry of this place. The great cotton fields of Fannin and other nearby counties are tributary to it, and the venture has proved to be a most successful one.
The mill employs skilled labor as well as common labor and has a large clerical force, so the payroll sustains a considerable element of the city's population. Mr. Wells is also director of the First National Bank and owns a large block of stock.
Mr. Wells is also interested in an industry of an entirely different kind. In 1900 he purchased three thousand acres of land near Vernon, Texas, and leased this extensive grass land to raise horses and mules from the finest of stock.
The growth of Mr. Wells' business interest have effectually prevented him from taking any active part in political affairs. He was never cared for office and has contented himself with casting his vote as a member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he has been active in the Baptist church for many years, having been deacon for along time, and having been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a Master Mason and belonging to the chapter and commandery.
Mr. Wells was married in Bonham, Texas, on the 10th of October, 1883 to Miss Mary Nunnelee, a daughter of Simeon and Erveline (Pace) Nunnelee. Her father came here in 1846 from Dallas County, Alabama and was one of the very early and prominent men of his day here.
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