John Wells was born January 7, 1878 in London, England. He migrated to Canada as a young lad.
He went to Ashland, Wisconsin where he spent some years working in lumber camps. Then he came to North Dakota and worked as a farm hand for Mr. and Mrs. August Steinborn in Helena Township
In 1904, he married Mabel Steinborn. They lived with the Steinborn's for nine years. They then moved to a home they had built one mile south of the Steinborn farm.
They raised a family of 10 children. Minnie, Gertrude, Edward, Margaret, Beatrice, Hazel, Lucille, June, Lorraine, and Waldo. All are still living except Minnie.
There was no school in the area so Minnie and Gertrude were taken to Steffen's and transported from there with their youngsters to the Retzlaff school on highway 200. Land was donated and a new schoolhouse was built just South of the home place and all 10 children attended this school.
Their years were spent farming until their retirement to Cooperstown in 1947, to enjoy their remaining years.
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December of 1954.
Mrs. Wells passed away in January of 1955 at the age of 66.
Mr. Wells passed away in April of 1958 at the age of 80.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 321.