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Note: Harry J. Wells ran a small hauling service (have business card from company). Buried in the Durling Family Plot, Bound Brook Cemetery, Bound Brook, NJ, however grave is unmarked. He was a founding member of the South Bound Brook Fire Company No. 1, incorporated March 28, 1902 SOURCE: Records of granddaughter Jacqueline Wells Lubinski Fire Company History South Bound Brook Fire Company Incorporated March 28, 1902 The Founding Years: In 1901, a huge fire broke out in a paint factory on the corner of Canal Road and Elizabeth Street. This event awoke the citizens of South Bound Brook for the the need of a volunteer Fire Department. On March 28, 1902, at 8:00 p.m. a meeting to organize a volunteer Fire Company was held in the law office of Mr. Edward Fischer. Frank Wheeland was temporary Chairman. There were fourteen founding members who organized the South Bound Brook Fire Company. They were; Harry Brokaw (President), James Cowins (Secretary), Bertram Teeter (Treasurer), W.B. Koechlein (Foreman), Bismark Byer, Henry Cowins, Saul Karno, O.B. Matthews, Henry McIntosh, Henry Nusted, John Ord, Arthur Teeter, John Tharp and Harry Wells. A request in May of 1902 to the Reformed Church for use of their bell as a fire alarm had been granted. Incorporation papers were filed in June 1902 at the Somerset County Clerks Office. On October 23, 1903 an order for South Bound Brook's first fire apparatus was placed. This piece of apparatus was delivered on December 2, 1903 by the Rex Fire Extinguisher Company of New York for the price tag of $600.00. This sale was made possible by a donation of $50.00 by Joseph Dufour on the condition that the Fire Company would raise the remaining $550.00. The chemical apparatus was a stylish two wheeled cart accompanied by 100 feet of hose. It was pulled by hand a majority of the time, except when Harry Wells would hitch it to his horses. Source: http://sbbfd.com/History/Fire%20Company%20History.html Listed on the 1880 Chester Co., PA Census for East Coventry, page 20. Supervisor District 2, ED #94 age 12, grandson, occupation farm laborer, with Grandmother Susanna Fisher Hipple age 73, Susanna's daughter Emma age 28 and another grandson Henry Christman age 22. The house faces Bethel Church Road, East Coventry, Chester Co., Pennsylvania at the intersection of Bethel Church Road and Kolb Road. The house is still there as of 2014. ---------- Listed on the 1900 New Jersey Federal Census for Somerset County, Franklin Township, South Bound Brook, Sheet #12, Supervisor Dist. #4, ED#82, line #20, age 32, occupation day laborer, with wife Annie C. age 23, and children Walter J. age 4 and Gertrude A. age 8 months. Both parents are listed as born in New Jersey. Birth date is listed as January 1868. ---------- Listed on the 1905 New Jersey State Census for Somerset County, Franklin Township, South Bound Brook, Number of family is 257, occupation Teamster, with wife Anna C. age 28, and children Walter J. age 8, Gertrude Ann age 6, and Charles H. age 3. Son Henry Mason Wells is not listed as he was born in 1903 and died in 1904. Birthplace of Harry's father is listed as France, mother is Pennsylvania. Birth date is listed as January 1867. ---------- Listed on the 1910 New Jersey Federal Census for Somerset County, South Bound Brook Borough, Sheet #9 B, Supervisor Dist. 4, ED #114, line #70, Cherry Street, age 42, occupation Drayman, with wife Anna age 32, and children Walter age 11, Gertrude age 10, Charles age 8, Evelyn age 4, and John age 1 yr. 8 months. Son James Harry Wells is not listed as he was not born until December 1910 after the census. Both parents are listed as born in Pennsylvania. Obituary: Harry James Wells, a well-known resident of this place, died suddenly on Tuesday morning about 12:15 o'clock at his home on Franklin Street, following an illness of a few days with pleuro-pneumonia. Harry J. Wells was born in Philadelphia about fourty-seven years ago, and located here more than twenty-five years ago, being a railroader by occupation. His parents died when he was a boy, and he was thrown upon his own resources. Fitted only for the more ardous work, Harry Wells never shirked in this direction. He was always known as a hustler in whatever line of work he took up. After giving up railroading he went into the draying and carting business. Later he entered the employ of the Standard Paint Company, and carted asphalt from the building burned last week to the factory in this place. In fair weather or foul, Harry was always on the job. As a man he was ever ready to perform a kind deed for his friends. His wife, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Durling, died about two years ago, leaving him with six children, Walter, Charles, John, James, Gertrude, and Mary Evelyn. He was an exempt fireman, but still continued to perform active service in this line, as a member of South Bound Brook Fire Company No. 1. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon, 1:30, at the house and two o'clock from the Reformed Church being conducted by Rev. Harold E. Green. Interment was made in the Bound Brook Cemetery by Directors Nash & Demond. SOURCE: Obituary from "The Chronicle", Bound Brook, NJ, Friday, December 15, 1916 - copy held by granddaughter Jacqueline Wells Lubinski.
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