326 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Wells early in his career gained the confidence and respect of the 

 people of his own home town and of St. Joseph county. So sound was 

 his judgment and so perfect his integrity that his neighbors of all 

 classes came to him for advice and help, and they never were repulsed. 

 How much of his time was taken in this kind of work will never be 

 known, but it was not forgotten and the whole community mourned his 

 death. 



Mr, Wells' strongest characteristic, as it appeared to me, was his 

 devotion to duty and to principle. Whatever he decided to be his duty 

 became his ruling passion, and he could not be swerved from it. He was 

 a man of strong sympathies. He loved his family, he was true to his 

 friends. A daughter writes, that to her his strongest point was courage. 

 This does not conflict with my estimate, because devotion to principle 

 requires much courage. He was a very kind hearted man, his children 

 loved him, as he loved them. He believed in the golden rule and 

 practiced it. 



Nothing better can be said of any man. 



I. H. BUTTERFIELD. 



