James P. Wells
This is the father of James E. Wells. He is named as 'grandfather' of Joseph Paul Wells in the 1920 Dallas census.
James P. was born ca. 1854 in Texas. He is found on several Dallas city directory entries at the same address of Joseph Paul Wells [1921-23]. An entry on Ancestry.com showed an 1891, 1892 Dallas city directory entry with a 'second name' of Mrs. Nancy J. Wells. Nancy was born in 1826 in TN. She is seen in the hh of daughter Lucinda [Bradford] in the 1900 Dallas census. In the next household is the single Josephine Reno who later married Charles K. Wells. Three households above the Bradfords is James [Martin] Wells and his wife, [Mary] Josephine [Reno]. This indicates close ties of this line of Wells with Charles K. Wells.
UPDATE: 8/9/11 - James P. Wells found with his parents and young son. The 1880 Fedeal population schedule for Walker County, TX [21 Jun 1880] shows the following family:
254/258 Wells, J. Andrew marr. 70 farmer, cannot read/write, b. AR
-- J. Nancy 53 marr. b. TN
-- P. James 24 son wid or divorced; lawyer b. TX
-- Farron male 18 son single, attended school b. TX
-- John 16 son single, attended school b. TX
-- Washington 14 son single,, attended school b. TX
-- Charles 12 son single,, attended school b. TX
-- E. James 7, grandson b. TX [the initial appears to be a 'C' until compared with other 'Cs' written by this enumerator. It doesn't entirely look like his 'Es' but it look more like the E than the E.]
Most interesting to note is that the next family is James Bradford age 29, his wife, Lucinda age 21 and their son, F. Frankling age 1. This is the same family seen on the 1900 census of Dallas County when James E. Wells and Josephine Reno Wells are together. The Bradford family has the 'mother-in-law' Nancy Wells living with them and are between James E. Wells and Josephine's mother who married Charles K. Wells. This family also has a Charles that I believe is the Chas. K. Wells who married Josephine.
Looking back to 1870, 1860 and 1850 this family is still found in Walker County.
To Do:
1. Look at the 1890s Dallas city directories for James P. Wells. Done
2. Find James P. Wells in other census records. Done
3. Nancy J. Wells could possibly be the mother of James P. Wells. Find more records on her.
UPDATE: 7/27/11- the 1891-92 Dallas City Directory has the following men in the hh of Nancy J. Wells (all with last name of Wells): James E. wks Dallas Brewery; James P. carpenter; Louis W.; Charles T. cement worker; F. Robert, saloon. Address given as 141 Cottonwood.
The directory and some subsequent directories show her to be the widow of A. Jackson Wells (could be Andrew Jackson). 1902 directory has a Nancy (no J) as widow of E.G. Don't know if same person or not.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
How many wives did Joseph Paul Wells have?
While trying to find James E. Wells to solve my original question of his divorce from Mary Josephine Reno, I was looking for all records possible on Joseph Paul Wells, their first son, in hopes that his father would be living close to him at some point. Joseph Paul Wells was born 4 April 1899. This birthdate was given on the WWI draft registration card that was completed 17 Sep 1918 so I trust that is the true date of his birth. His death certificate (25 May 1960) gave his birth date as April 5, 1900. The informant on that record was his wife, Mrs. Lela Wells. On the draft registration card, Joseph said his wife was Zelda Coleman Wells and she lived at 3109 Myrtle St., Dallas. However, I found a death certificate for Zelda Wells. Her death date was May 7, 1921. She resided at 4126 Frank St. It is interesting to note that Zelda died from complications of an attempted self-inflicted abortion just 4 months after the birth of a son.
In the 1920 census of Dallas County, I have found Joseph P. Wells living at 4018 Frank St. as a 21 year old carpenter. His wife's name is given as Josephine and she is also 21 years old. They have a 5 mo old daughter named Francis M [born 1919 since the census was taken as of Jan. 20]. Also in the household is 66 year old widowed grandfather, James P. Wells, who is also a carpenter [notice that this is the James P. who has been listed in Dallas city directories at the same address as Joseph P.] Although the age and the name are not correct for Zelda, I think this Josephine is actually Zelda. Zelda was named on Joseph Paul Wells Jr.'s death certificate as the mother. This son was born on 27 Jan 1921 [notice in the previous paragraph I mentioned that Zelda died the following May 7.]. He later died on 25 Sep 1922 from diptheria. Unless Zelda was pregnant before being married to Joseph, the Josephine on the 1920 census would have to divorce or die before May 1920 to allow the 9 mos of Zelda's pregnancy with Jr.
In the 1930 census of Dallas County, J. Paul Wells is found living at 4135 Frank St. with a wife named Gertrude. He is 29 and she is 22. There is a daughter named Francis N age 11 [who was seen in the 1920 census with Josephine] and a step-daughter named Fannie Keith age 7 who was born in Mississippi.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, a wife named Leta was the informant for Joseph Paul Wells' death certificate in 1960. Is this another person or is it Gertrude's nickname?
I see there are a lot of marriage records and divorce or death records to locate in this mystery.
To Do:
1. Find marriage of Joseph Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman by 1917-18. Joseph is 18 years of age in 1917.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - J. Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman 8/31/18 vol 25 p. 251 of Dallas County marriages (from Dallas County bMarriage Index Aug 1846-Oct 1963 at Dallas Public Library Genealogy Department).
2. Find other marriages of Joseph Paul Wells after the death of Zelda in 1921 [Gertrude & Leta).
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - J. P. Wells to Gertrude Barrett 6/21/27 vol 45 p 550 Dallas County marriages (from Dallas County Marriage Index Aug 1846-Oct 1963 at Dallas Public Library Genealogy Department).
3. Find Gertrude in some other record besides the 1930 census (city directory, marriage, death).
4. Contact the funeral homes and cemeteries and see if they have files.
5. Find death record for James P. Wells.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - search of Texas Index to deaths 1903-1940 did not have a James P. Wells.
While trying to find James E. Wells to solve my original question of his divorce from Mary Josephine Reno, I was looking for all records possible on Joseph Paul Wells, their first son, in hopes that his father would be living close to him at some point. Joseph Paul Wells was born 4 April 1899. This birthdate was given on the WWI draft registration card that was completed 17 Sep 1918 so I trust that is the true date of his birth. His death certificate (25 May 1960) gave his birth date as April 5, 1900. The informant on that record was his wife, Mrs. Lela Wells. On the draft registration card, Joseph said his wife was Zelda Coleman Wells and she lived at 3109 Myrtle St., Dallas. However, I found a death certificate for Zelda Wells. Her death date was May 7, 1921. She resided at 4126 Frank St. It is interesting to note that Zelda died from complications of an attempted self-inflicted abortion just 4 months after the birth of a son.
In the 1920 census of Dallas County, I have found Joseph P. Wells living at 4018 Frank St. as a 21 year old carpenter. His wife's name is given as Josephine and she is also 21 years old. They have a 5 mo old daughter named Francis M [born 1919 since the census was taken as of Jan. 20]. Also in the household is 66 year old widowed grandfather, James P. Wells, who is also a carpenter [notice that this is the James P. who has been listed in Dallas city directories at the same address as Joseph P.] Although the age and the name are not correct for Zelda, I think this Josephine is actually Zelda. Zelda was named on Joseph Paul Wells Jr.'s death certificate as the mother. This son was born on 27 Jan 1921 [notice in the previous paragraph I mentioned that Zelda died the following May 7.]. He later died on 25 Sep 1922 from diptheria. Unless Zelda was pregnant before being married to Joseph, the Josephine on the 1920 census would have to divorce or die before May 1920 to allow the 9 mos of Zelda's pregnancy with Jr.
In the 1930 census of Dallas County, J. Paul Wells is found living at 4135 Frank St. with a wife named Gertrude. He is 29 and she is 22. There is a daughter named Francis N age 11 [who was seen in the 1920 census with Josephine] and a step-daughter named Fannie Keith age 7 who was born in Mississippi.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, a wife named Leta was the informant for Joseph Paul Wells' death certificate in 1960. Is this another person or is it Gertrude's nickname?
I see there are a lot of marriage records and divorce or death records to locate in this mystery.
To Do:
1. Find marriage of Joseph Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman by 1917-18. Joseph is 18 years of age in 1917.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - J. Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman 8/31/18 vol 25 p. 251 of Dallas County marriages (from Dallas County bMarriage Index Aug 1846-Oct 1963 at Dallas Public Library Genealogy Department).
2. Find other marriages of Joseph Paul Wells after the death of Zelda in 1921 [Gertrude & Leta).
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - J. P. Wells to Gertrude Barrett 6/21/27 vol 45 p 550 Dallas County marriages (from Dallas County Marriage Index Aug 1846-Oct 1963 at Dallas Public Library Genealogy Department).
3. Find Gertrude in some other record besides the 1930 census (city directory, marriage, death).
4. Contact the funeral homes and cemeteries and see if they have files.
5. Find death record for James P. Wells.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - search of Texas Index to deaths 1903-1940 did not have a James P. Wells.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Looking for the divorce record for James Martin Wells and Mary Josephine Renno:
1. She was the daughter of Joseph Renno and Josephine Pecore, b. 1882.
2. I have a marriage date of 01 Jan 1896 for this couple but do not have a source.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - I now have a source of both the 1904 divorce record and the 1896 marriage record entry in the Dallas County Marriages book published by the Dallas Genealogy Society. I did not view the marriage recorded in the marriage book.
3. The Dallas census of 1900 shows her with James Wells.
4. The Dallas census of 1910 shows her in the household of her mother and stepfather. The stepfather was Charles Wells but a relationship between James Martin Wells and Charles Wells is not known.
5. In 1913 Dallas directory, Miss Josephine Reno is a checker at Stiers Laundry living at 515 S. Akard; there is a James P. Wells, carpenter, living at 2109 Burke. This is interesting in that a James P. Wells, carpenter, is found in subsequent Dallas directories and in two years (1921 and 1923) he is seen residing at the same address as Jos. P. Wells (4235 Frank).
UPDATE 7-25-11: James P. Wells appears to be the grandfather of Joseph Paul. He is in Joseph Paul's household in the 1930 Dallas census with the relationship of grandfather to the head of the household.
5. The Dallas census of 1920 shows a 38 year old Josephine Reno as a boarder and working as a waitress. It is not known if this is the correct Josephine Reno but the age matches. She is residing at 2009 Browder.
6. Found death record for Josephine. She died 4 Aug 1950 and is a Hammons at that time. Buried at Laurel Land, Camp Funeral Home.
7. Found the death cert for Joseph Paul Wells (Dallas, May 25, 1960) which gives his father's name as Bud Wells. The informant is typed Mrs. Lela Wells - wife.
8. Found death cert for son, Joseph Paul Wells Jr which gave the maiden name of his mother as Zelda Coleman. Informant was J. R. Edwards.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - found marriage entry ofJ. Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman 8/31/18 vol 25 p251 of Dallas County marriages (microfilm marriage index in the Genealogy Section at Dallas Public Library).
Email from Sue Theodorow (Pecore descendant & researcher) in email dated April 18, 2011 on Mary Josephine Reno (daughter of Josephine Pecore) who married James Martin Wells.
"My grandparents, Robert and Rebecca were transferred to St. Louis with MO Pacific RR from Dallas. I know just which census you are talking about and Robert is typed in as Robert J. when it should be Robert I. Looking at the handwriting, it could be a j or an i. According to my grandfather's social security application, Mary Josephine Reno and James Martin Wells were his parents. I have found them in the 1900 census, just like you, and Mary Josephine in the 1910 and 1920 censuses. This is what I have come up with. Mary and James were married in 1897 and had 2 children--Joseph P. and Robert I. James was a night watchman. By 1910, they were divorced and Mary was a laundress living in Dallas with her two children. Her mom, Josephine Pecore and her second husband Charles K. Wells were living next door. In 1920, Mary was a lodger in Dallas and a waitress for a restaurant. Both her children were not living with her. In 1920, Robert was married. I cannot find Mary after this--perhaps she remarried? I cannot find James Martin except in the 1900 census. I also have found no connection between James Martin and Charles K. Wells."
Thank you, Sue, for providing the SSN application of Robert in which he names his parents:
To Do:
1. Locate marriage record for James and Mary Josephine - probably Dallas County.
UPDATE: 8/7/11: James E. Wells to Miss Mary Josephine Reno 1 Jul 1896 Vol B p 415, Ed. S. Lauderdale, officiant.
2. Locate James and Mary Josepine the Dallas city directories.
UPDATE: 7/27/11 - 1905 Dallas city directory has a listing for Mrs. Mary J. Wells, laund[ress] Windsor Lndry, h. 227 Caruth. This is the same address for Charles K. Wells who is the husband of Mary Josephine's mother. Mary Josephine is seen living in their hh in the 1910 census.
This is a major clue in the time period of the divorce from James although James is not listed in that census.
3. After getting a closer date for when they are living separately, look at the Dallas District Court records.
UPDATE: 7/27/11 - based on the information above, a search beginning with 1904 Dallas Circuit Court Records should be a good starting place to look for a divorce record. I think there was a divorce rather than a death because Mary Josephine started using her maiden name.
UPDATE: 8/7/11: Case #23814 Dallas 14th District Court Records, Mary J. Wells vs James E. Wells, divorce awarded 16 Dec 1904. Custody of children given to Mary.
4. Mary Josephine is found on 1910 census with her mother. Try to find James on a census.
5. Found death cert for Josephine. 4 Aug 1950 as Hammons. Find marriage record. Probably after 1921 when she is found as Josephine Reno in Dallas directory.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - Looked at Dallas County Marriage Index, Aug 1846 - Oct 1963 on microfilm at theDallas Public Library and could not find anyone named Hammons marrying a Reno. Found a Mary Reno (no J) who married Jas. A. Archer 11/6/34 but no Hammons marrying an Archer could be found either.
1. She was the daughter of Joseph Renno and Josephine Pecore, b. 1882.
2. I have a marriage date of 01 Jan 1896 for this couple but do not have a source.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - I now have a source of both the 1904 divorce record and the 1896 marriage record entry in the Dallas County Marriages book published by the Dallas Genealogy Society. I did not view the marriage recorded in the marriage book.
3. The Dallas census of 1900 shows her with James Wells.
4. The Dallas census of 1910 shows her in the household of her mother and stepfather. The stepfather was Charles Wells but a relationship between James Martin Wells and Charles Wells is not known.
5. In 1913 Dallas directory, Miss Josephine Reno is a checker at Stiers Laundry living at 515 S. Akard; there is a James P. Wells, carpenter, living at 2109 Burke. This is interesting in that a James P. Wells, carpenter, is found in subsequent Dallas directories and in two years (1921 and 1923) he is seen residing at the same address as Jos. P. Wells (4235 Frank).
UPDATE 7-25-11: James P. Wells appears to be the grandfather of Joseph Paul. He is in Joseph Paul's household in the 1930 Dallas census with the relationship of grandfather to the head of the household.
5. The Dallas census of 1920 shows a 38 year old Josephine Reno as a boarder and working as a waitress. It is not known if this is the correct Josephine Reno but the age matches. She is residing at 2009 Browder.
6. Found death record for Josephine. She died 4 Aug 1950 and is a Hammons at that time. Buried at Laurel Land, Camp Funeral Home.
7. Found the death cert for Joseph Paul Wells (Dallas, May 25, 1960) which gives his father's name as Bud Wells. The informant is typed Mrs. Lela Wells - wife.
8. Found death cert for son, Joseph Paul Wells Jr which gave the maiden name of his mother as Zelda Coleman. Informant was J. R. Edwards.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - found marriage entry ofJ. Paul Wells to Zelda Coleman 8/31/18 vol 25 p251 of Dallas County marriages (microfilm marriage index in the Genealogy Section at Dallas Public Library).
Email from Sue Theodorow (Pecore descendant & researcher) in email dated April 18, 2011 on Mary Josephine Reno (daughter of Josephine Pecore) who married James Martin Wells.
"My grandparents, Robert and Rebecca were transferred to St. Louis with MO Pacific RR from Dallas. I know just which census you are talking about and Robert is typed in as Robert J. when it should be Robert I. Looking at the handwriting, it could be a j or an i. According to my grandfather's social security application, Mary Josephine Reno and James Martin Wells were his parents. I have found them in the 1900 census, just like you, and Mary Josephine in the 1910 and 1920 censuses. This is what I have come up with. Mary and James were married in 1897 and had 2 children--Joseph P. and Robert I. James was a night watchman. By 1910, they were divorced and Mary was a laundress living in Dallas with her two children. Her mom, Josephine Pecore and her second husband Charles K. Wells were living next door. In 1920, Mary was a lodger in Dallas and a waitress for a restaurant. Both her children were not living with her. In 1920, Robert was married. I cannot find Mary after this--perhaps she remarried? I cannot find James Martin except in the 1900 census. I also have found no connection between James Martin and Charles K. Wells."
Thank you, Sue, for providing the SSN application of Robert in which he names his parents:
To Do:
1. Locate marriage record for James and Mary Josephine - probably Dallas County.
UPDATE: 8/7/11: James E. Wells to Miss Mary Josephine Reno 1 Jul 1896 Vol B p 415, Ed. S. Lauderdale, officiant.
2. Locate James and Mary Josepine the Dallas city directories.
UPDATE: 7/27/11 - 1905 Dallas city directory has a listing for Mrs. Mary J. Wells, laund[ress] Windsor Lndry, h. 227 Caruth. This is the same address for Charles K. Wells who is the husband of Mary Josephine's mother. Mary Josephine is seen living in their hh in the 1910 census.
This is a major clue in the time period of the divorce from James although James is not listed in that census.
3. After getting a closer date for when they are living separately, look at the Dallas District Court records.
UPDATE: 7/27/11 - based on the information above, a search beginning with 1904 Dallas Circuit Court Records should be a good starting place to look for a divorce record. I think there was a divorce rather than a death because Mary Josephine started using her maiden name.
UPDATE: 8/7/11: Case #23814 Dallas 14th District Court Records, Mary J. Wells vs James E. Wells, divorce awarded 16 Dec 1904. Custody of children given to Mary.
4. Mary Josephine is found on 1910 census with her mother. Try to find James on a census.
5. Found death cert for Josephine. 4 Aug 1950 as Hammons. Find marriage record. Probably after 1921 when she is found as Josephine Reno in Dallas directory.
UPDATE: 8/7/11 - Looked at Dallas County Marriage Index, Aug 1846 - Oct 1963 on microfilm at theDallas Public Library and could not find anyone named Hammons marrying a Reno. Found a Mary Reno (no J) who married Jas. A. Archer 11/6/34 but no Hammons marrying an Archer could be found either.
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