Alfred Matthew Wells, the seventh son of Matthew and Wealthy Burdick Wells, was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., April 28, 1834, and died in Chicago, Ill., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jennie Satterlee, Sabbath morning, May 11, 1918.
He was the last member of a family of twelve children, - eight sons and four daughters. Brother Wells was a faithful soldier under the Federal Government through four long years in the war of the Rebellion. After the war he moved to Wisconsin, and on November 16, 1866, was married to Miss Sarah Carson, of Mauston, Wis., soon after which they moved to Berlin, Wis., where they made their home for some years, afterward moving to Milton Junction, Wis., and later making their home for a number of years in Nortonville, Kan. But as they began to feel the infirmities of old age they moved to Battle Creek, Mich., where Mrs. Wells passed away July 22, 1910.
Five children were the result of this marriage, - three daughters and two sons. One daughter died in infancy. The other four are living and all were present at the farewell services of the father. They are Jason R. Wells, of Nortonville, Kan., Mrs. Jennie Satterlee and Mrs. Gertrude Davis, of Chicago, Ill., and Gerald Wells, of Battle Creek, Mich.
When about sixteen years of age the deceased made a public profession of religion, at DeRuyter, N. Y., and became a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church of that place, and was actively identified with the churches of that faith in the various localities where he lived.
His departure was a beautiful one, as he enjoined the physician not to attempt to prolong his life when it seemed he was going, saying that he had lived a long life and was ready to go. He selected the Scripture passages from which the pastor was to preach the funeral sermon, and the hymns he wished sung. Truly such a going over makes heaven seem more real, and death nothing to be dreaded.
Interment took place in the beautiful Battle Creek Cemetery. M. B. K.
