Captain A. Levi Wells
Capt. A. Levi Wells, dealer in lumber, building material, stone, coal, etc., at Shabbona, established his present business June 1, 1880, as successor to Wm. Deacon. He was born in Charlotte, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., Sept. 16, 1836, the son of Royal and Betsey (Larkin) Wells, and received a common-school education. He engaged in clerking until 1857, when he came to Albany, Whiteside Co., Ill., and one year afterward removed to Kaneville, Kane Co., Ill., continuing in the same business.
He enlisted in the cause of the Government Sept. 18, 1861, in the Eight Ill. Vol. Cav., Co. I, and on its organization was appointed Corporal. In December following he was elected First Sergeant, served as such till Sept. 1, 1862, when he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and April 3, 1863, was commissioned Captain of Co. I, above referred to, his commission to date back to Aug. 29, 1862. In this capacity he served till Sept. 27, 1864. He was wounded at the battle of Falling Waters, July 14, 1863, by a gunshot in the left breast, the ball passing around to the shoulder blade and thence outward. Capt. Wells was in 85 different engagements in all including all those in which the Army of the Potomac participated up to December, 1864.
After his return from the war, in the spring of 1866, he settled in the town of Milan, DeKalb County., and engaged in farming. Continuing in that business until March 1878, he removed to Shabbona village, formed a partnership with S. G. Gilbert in the grocery trade, and followed that business until June, 1880, when he entered upon his present business, in which he is prospering.
He was Supervisor of Milan Township four years, Township School Treasurer eight years. In his views of national policy he is a Republican.
Mr. Wells was married at Kaneville, Ill., Sept. 7, 1863, to Miss Nancy C. Fink, daughter of J. A. and Nancy B. (Norris) Fink. She is a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have five children, namely, Rille M., Jessie M., Clarence N., Marion H. and Lizzie.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County Illinois; Chapman Brothers, 1885, Chicago, IL
