FIRST GENERATION

1. Harry Clarkson WELLS ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾⁽⁸⁾⁽⁹⁾⁽¹⁰⁾⁽¹¹⁾⁽¹²⁾⁽¹³⁾ (photo) was born on 20 Feb 1897 in Pottsville Schuylkill Co., Pa..⁽²⁾⁽¹⁾⁽¹⁾ Birth Affidavit Dept of State dated 26 May 1954 by Aunt Mary M.(Clarkson) Bryan (sistor of his mother) of Harry Clarkson Wells (She was present at his birth Feb 20 1897) in Pottsville PN. He was baptized on 31 May 1897 in Congreation of Christ Flock, Phil., Pnn..⁽³⁾ Baptised 31 May in Congreation of Christ Flock Phil Pn 31May 1897 He served in the military between 1917 and 1919 in World War I, France, Germany.⁽⁶⁾ Dicharge 1917 to accept commission; Discharge 1919 Honorable He died on 24 Apr 1992 in Deerfield, Beach, Broward, Co., Fl..⁽⁵⁾ certified Copy of Certificate of Death Florida dtd 29 April 1992 died April 24 1992 He was buried on 1 May 1992 in Boca Raton Mausoleum, Boca Raton, Fl.. HARRY CLARKSON WELLS

Harry Clarkson Wells Son of Henry Alexander Wells and Emily Clarkson
[CenErie 1900/205] was born 20 Feb 1897 at home of his mothers parents (the Clarkson's) in Pottsville, Penn. [BirthHCW, BaptHCW]. He Died 24 April 1992 in Florida [Death HCW] His father Henry Alexander Wells was manager of United Press in Phil Penn from 1865 to 1897 and was transferred to manager Associated. Press in Buffalo NY in 1897.[DirBuff 1910] Emily Clarkson, his mother, died in 1912 when he was 15 years old and while he was still in High School. He was living at 190 West Utica ST., in Buffalo [DirBuff1910-1914]. At that time, Bertha Kropelin his further wife, lived at 207 West Utica St. In 1914 he and his father then moved to Oaklyn NJ, and they lived with Minny Clarkson (his wife's sister) until his death in late 1915. When Harry's father died he was 18 and working as a clerk and insurance salesman for ATENA Insurance Co.
He enlisted in the USARMY at Phil Penn 23 April 1917 (prior to the 1st draft), was Discharged 17 Aug 1917 [MilsvHCW] at Fort May NJ to take commission as Army Field Clerk (Warrant officer). Appointed Army Field Clerk 18 Aug 1917 at HQ. Governers Island NY. He left for France 3 Oct 1917. Served as aid to General "Black Jack" Pershing in AEF with the General Staff at CHUMAUNT France as Army Field Clerk, encoding and decoding messages to and from the American/French/English front lines. He actually took dictation from General Pershing. He worked as Telegrapher taking Morse code (CW) directly to Typewriter. Also was motorcycle dispatch rider between HQ.'s, carrying classified msg. and maps. He returned to US 6 July 1919 Discharged Hoboken NJ.[MilSvHCW].
He married Bertha Elizabeth Kropelin 20 Nov 1920 [MarrHCW, BibHilbert; CenErie 1920/243] at home of her parents at 207 West Utica St.Buffalo,NY. In 1920 they moved to Cincinnati Ohio with Beaver Board at $52 per week. He then moved back to Buffalo in 1922 with Beaver Board & M. A. Reed Builders Supply [DirBuff1924]. In 1922 hired he was by Wheeling Steel as salesman. He remained with Wheeling until he retired in 1943 as Asst.Manager of Wheeling Steel's Buffalo's Office. In 1944 he formed his own construction Co. and built at least 20 homes in Snyder NY Relocated to Fort Lauderdale Florida in 1948. Died 24 Apr 1992 in Deerfield Beach, Broward Co. Fl. [DeathHCW].
Survived by his wife and four sons and 9 Grandchildren and 19 Great grandchildren. He was cremated and buried on 30 April 1992 in Boca Raton Mausoleum Boca Raton Fl. Was Charter Member Levant Lodge # 967 F&AM Buffalo N.Y. Raised 10 June 1924. Shrine ISMSILA TEMPLE Buffalo N.Y. 12 Dec 1945 Royal Arch Mason chapter 235 Buffalo N.Y. 1962.
Parents: Henry Alexander Wells and Emily Clarkson [See their entry]
Bertha Elizabeth Kropelin Dau of Christian "Chris" Kropelin and Wilhemina Carolina
(Minne) Hilbert was born 16 June 1897 [BirthBEK, BibHilbert] in Buffalo NY married in 20 Nov 1920 {MarrHCW, BibHilbert],Died 30 Oct 1995 [DeathBEK] in Port St. Lucie Convalescent Home. Was cremated and buried on 7 Nov 1995 in Boca Raton Mausoleum next to her husband Harry. (see her entry)
Parents: Christian "Chris" Kropelin b 8 Oct 1870 [CenNY1880/130] Buffalo NY, m 28 Aug 1897 BibHilbert], d 28 Jan 1939 Wilhemina Carolina "Minnie "Hilbert b 11 Feb 1870 [BibHilbert], d 29 Jan 1926 [BibHilbert]
Children of Harry Clarkson Wells and Bertha Elizabeth Kropelin
H. Jack Wells # b 1 Feb 1922 in Buffalo NY m Marjorie Ann Bruskotter 1 Feb 1943
Robert Alexander Wells b 16 Apr 1924 m Diana Gelber 14 June 1947
Norman Richard Wells b 2 Mar 1926 m Lois Florence Schurk 1 Dec 1951
Donald Louis Wells b 11 Dec 1935 m Barbara Graham in 1960 m Gloria Matheus 1985

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