William Twining Wells, pioneer settler of Melbourne, passed away at his home, Green Gables, on the Dixie Highway and Indian River Drive, at 10 o'clock Sunday evening, July 6. He was 75 years of age and his health had been failing for some time.
Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock, the Rev. Dr. George Loring Hanscom officiating, and he read the Episcopal service. Ashes of the deceased will be interred in the family monument at Bolton Cemetery, Bolton, N.Y. Pallbearers were: W. G. Tubbs, C.J.F. Campbell, Allen Campbell, James T. Hoag, A.R. Hodgson, Nathaniel Downey, Horace L. Ewing and John B. Rodes. C. H. Stewart played several organ selections during the funeral service and there was special music.
Mr. Wells is survived by his wife, Nora Stanford Wells; a daughter, Gladys Wells Griffith of Fort Dodge, Iowa; a son, Stanford of Melbourne; a son Hugh Prescott Wells of Jersey City, N.J.; a sister, Miss Charlotte E. Wells of New York City; and a brother, Dr. James C.S. Wells of New York.
Mr. Wells came to Melbourne in 1897 (sic [other documents state 1896]) from New Jersey where he was owner of the Wells Rustless Iron Company, makers of oxidized iron. He came here on account of his wife's failing health, and developed his property holdings. He owned at that time 154 acres in the city and 2,000 acres south of town between Malabar and Palm Bay.
William Twining Wells was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 6, 1854. He was educated at the city schools until prepared for college, when he entered the School of Mines at Columbia, showing a great deal of talent for metallurgy and its kindred subjects.
In 1897 (sic) he married Miss Nora Stanford, eldest daughter of Senator Charles Stanford of Schenectady, N.Y., and neice of the Honorable Leland Stanford, Civil War governor of California, U.S. senator and builder of the Central Pacific Railway and donor of the Stanford University at Palo Alto, Calif.
Mr. Wells resided in Hackensack, N.J. for a number of years, and the three children were born there. He soon became well known as the inventor and developer of the Wells process of rustless iron, with furnaces at Little Ferry N.J., and business offices in New York. Beautiful specimens of his work can be seen at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., much of the trim having been done by this process.
Due to Mrs. Wells tendency to pneumonia, it seemed wise to have a winter home in Florida. After traveling over the state looking for a location, Melbourne was chosen as being the most desirable. The Strobah property, comprising 150 acres, all within the city limits, was bought and Green Gables cottage built, the family occupying it in October, 1897. It seemed very remote to the townspeople, as all life centered around the old Carleton Hotel and Congregational Church at that time. There were no streets, simply a block or two by the hotel. Mr. Wells soon remedied the situation, as he enjoyed surveying and had the necessary instruments. He laid out streets in each direction from the house, bought horses and plows, put men in and grubbed them, then shelled them at his own expense and gave them to the town.
There being no suitable school for the children, he built what was known as Educational Hall and employed a teacher, Professor Winters of Deland, and invited other children of suitable age to attend. It was here that the two older children were prepared for college before they went abroad.
Interest was manifested in a Chautauqua, the first one being small and held in the Congregational Church. As it grew, Mr. Wells gave the use of Educational Hall, which had movable partitions and could accomodate a larger crowd. He was made president, and as the benefit seemed great, and the number of people attending increased, he built an auditorium after the style of the Salt Lake City taber- nacle, which would hold over a thousand people. There was a large stage and the accoustics were splendid. Each season the county closed its schools in order that teachers could attend for the entire two weeks, and this became an annual event in the social life of Melbourne, the best talent being brought here. This was carried out for several years, until criticism caused him to resign.
Mr. Wells was a member of the Episcopal Church. The church at that time was located south of Crane Creek. Sometimes the Negro ferryman would celebrate Saturday night and the rector would row his congregation across, hold the service, and then return them to the north side. Out of this condition a bridge was built, from money subscribed, and was used until the Bishop arrived, at which time it was decided to move the church to the triangular plot given by Mr. Wells, where it now stands, he promising that it should be rebuilt in as good condition as it was formerly. It was ferried across the river (Crane Creek) on a scow and church members gave their time and money to the work. The entire plot was dedicated and consecrated.
After being Senior Warden for twenty years and one of the main supporters of the church, Mr. Wells resigned. Since that time he has attended the Congregational Church.
Mr. Wells was a loyal Republican and started the East Coast Republican, but found he could not manage it while away during the summer, so gave it up after two years.
His faith in Melbourne and surrounding country was always hopeful. He constantly invested in property. He made the building of the Melbourne Public Library possible by loaning money for its construction. Just before his last illness, he gave the city 30 acres of land for a public park.