Samuel S. Wells is now living a retired life in Tippecanoe City and well merits the rest that is accorded him, for his life has been an active, useful and honorable one. He is numbered among the native sons of Miami county and is one of its oldest residents, for his birth occurred in Monroe township, on the 8th of February, 1821 so that the period of his connection with the county covers seventy- nine years. His father, Silas Wells, was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, and spent his boyhood days in the Old Dominion. He was married there to Miss Elsie Skinner. They had two children, born in Virginia, Thomas and Richard, the latter now deceased. Determined to seek a home in the Buckeye state, they journeyed by team to Miami county in 1819, locating in Monroe township. They first lived with his father, Samuel Wells, who had come to Ohio a few years previous. Later Silas Wells removed to a wild tract of land, upon which he erected a log cabin, containing one room. The upper story or loft was reached by a ladder, the doors were hung on wooden hinges and the furniture was not only primitive, but scanty. They experienced the various hardships and trials of pioneer life, but eventually their labors brought to them capital which enabled them to add many comforts and conveniences to their home. The father died in the eighty-second year of his age. In his family were ten children, eight sons and two daughters.

Samuel S. Wells was reared on the old homestead farm until he had attained his majority. He worked in the fields and meadows through the summer months and in the winter season pursued his education in the subscription schools, having to walk a mile and a half to the school house. There were also social pleasures enjoyed by the pioneers that are unknown to the citizens of this day and their busy lives were thus not unmixed with joy. On leaving the parental roof Mr. Wells began learning the cooper's trade and became an expert workman. He followed that business for about eighteen years and then returned to the old homestead farm where he lived for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Shelby County, Ohio, but after a few months returned to the old homestead, where he continued for two years. He then traded his farm for property in Tippecanoe City, but afterward moved to another farm in Monroe township, where he remained for four years. Subsequently he lived upon still another farm, and a part of the year 1897 he spent in Tippecanoe City. Once more he became identified with agricultural pursuits, but in November, 1899, again came to Tippecanoe City, where he is now living retired, enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

In 1843 Mr. Wells was married to Miss Caroline Lavy, and to them have been born eight children: Harriet, Matilda, Emma, Margaret, Libbey, Jefferson, Walter Grant and Eva. Mr. Wells is still the owner of sixty acres of land. He has served as trustee of Monroe township for one term, and in politics he has long been a Democrat. He holds membership in the Christian church and takes an active interest in its work. His life has been an honorable one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He is undoubtedly one of the oldest native sons of Monroe township and through the passing years has watched the continual growth and improvement of the community, bearing his part in the work of advancement wherever he has found an opportunity. He receives the respect of young and old, rich and poor, and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life.