Descendants of JAMES ARROWOOD by Eileen Brudwick as edited by: W. C. Reed © 2002 The following compilation of family history is the result of many, many years of research by Eileen Brudwick and others who are identified in the file. I wish to personally thank Eileen for permitting me to post this information on the internet to be used by fellow researchers. Please bear in mind that much of what follows may be speculative unless the source of that information has been provided. If you, as you search through this work, should find information that is incorrect, or you can provide additional information to complete some family lines, please feel free to contact me at: SassyMan46@ aol.com or Eileen Brudwick at: Alacookie@aol.com * Denotes relationship to editor. Generation 1 JAMES 1 ARROWOOD, was born in Rutherford Co.,NC May 18, 1794 and died Jan. 22, 1845 in Yancy Co.,NC. He married ELIZABETH BRITTON bef. 1816. She was born June 8, 1794 in Rutherford Co, NC. d/o Benjamin Britton and Comfort Dunnagan. She died Oct. 16, 1835. Note for JAMES ARROWOOD: Interred in Pensacola, Yancey Co, NC. Note for ELIZABETH BRITTON ARROWOOD: Interred in Burnsville in Yancey Co, NC. Children of JAMES ARROWOOD and ELIZABETH BRITTOM: i. CLEMUEL2 ARROWOOD,b. circa 1816 ii. ELISA LUNSFORD ARROWOOD,b. Aug. 7, 1818 iii. JOHN JACKSON ARROWOOD,b. Apr. 6, 1821 iv. NANCY ELIZABETH ARROWOOD,b. June 11, 1823 v. RACHAEL AUSTIN ARROWOOD,b. Jan. 15, 1824 vi. GARRETT DEWEESE ARROWOOD,b. Aug. 29, 1825 vii. BARTLEY C. ARROWOOD,b. Jun. 12, 1830 viii. BENJAMIN BRITTON ARROWOOD,b. Oct. 12, 1831 ix. WILLIAM ARROWOOD,b. Jul. 15, 1833 x. ANDREW JACKSON ARROWOOD,b. Oct. 16, 1835 Note for ANDREW JACKSON ARROWOOD: Andrew died before May 1865 at age unknown. Went to war and never returned. Generation 2 1. JOHN 2 JACKSON ARROWOOD(JAMES A.1)was born on 6 Apr. 1821 in Burk Co., NC.; died on 2 Dec. 1892 in Johnson Co., Ky, at age 71. He married (1)ELEANOR RIDDLE Mar. 10, 1844. She was born Mar. 10, 1824. D/o Benjamin Riddle and Rachel Austin. Notes for JOHN JACKSON ARROWOOD: Buried in Stapleton-Wiley Cemetery at Baker Branch. General Notes: In the Census of 1850, John was listed as a head of household in Yancey Co, NC. In the Census of 1860, John was listed as a head of household in Buncombe Co., NC. During the War Between the States, John Jackson Arrowood served in Company G of the 14th Battalion of North Carolina Cavalry, C.S.A. He surrendered at Dillingham, North Carolina, on May 5, 1865, and held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. John Jackson and Eleanor Arrowood moved to Johnson Co., Ky from Buncombe Co., NC in 1867. He was listed as Rosecrans Stapleton's grandfather in the 1900 Census in Johnson Co.,KY. John's bible has been preserved. It contains information about his parents' family. John Jackson Arrowood Family Bible extracted by John Britton Wells III Bible of John Jackson Arrowood (born April 6, 1821) and later the Bible of his daughter Margaret Jane Arrowood Wells, in the possession of John Britton Wells III, 733 Court Street, Paintsville, KY 41240. John Jackson Arrowood was born 6 April 1821 the son of James Arrowood the indian fighter and Elizabeth Briton married the 10th day of Mar. 1844 [to] Eleanor Riddle born 10 Mar.1824. JOHN JACKSON-ARROWOOD: born in April 1821, in Buncombe County, NC, John Arrowood was a small farmer in Buncombe and Yancey counties, NC. During the Cherokee removal he served in the North Carolina Militia. In December 1863, he joined Co.G of the 14th Btn North Carolina Cavalry in the Confederate Army and participated in several actions in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. After the Battle of Asheville, he surrendered on May 3, 1865. In 1867, the family moved to the Greasy Creek section of Johnson County, KY, but later moved to River where he operated a general store. A Baptist and Democrat, he died on Baker Branch in Johnson County in 1902 and is buried in the Stapleton-Wiley Cemetery at Baker Branch. John married Eleanor Riddle, daughter of Benjamin Riddle and Rachel Austin, on 10 March 1844 in Yancey Co., North Carolina. Eleanor was born on 10 March 1824 in North Carolina, died on 21 October 1898 in Johnson Co, KY, at age 74, and was buried in J. B. Wells Cemetery in Paintsville, Ky. Also have seen Eleanor's death as : Shown to be this in research by Stanley Branch SEBranch70@aol.com: Eleanor Riddle daughter of Benjamin Riddle and Rachel Austin. She was born March 10, 1824 in North Carolina, and died November 9, 1876 in Paintsville, Johnson County, KY. Children of JOHN JACKSON ARROWOOD and ELEANOR RIDDLE: i. GEORGE3 WASHINGTON ARROWOOD, b. Mar. 1846 in Yancey Co.,NC and died in 1933 in Waverly City, OH., at age 87. ii. JAMES MARION ARROWOOD, b. 1848 in Yancey Co.,NC and died on 13 Mar. 1903 in Johnson Co, KY., at age 54. iii. WILLIAM JACKSON ARROWOOD, b. 1850 in Yancey Co.,NC and died on 31 Dec. 1936 in Johnson Co., KY., at age 86;m. MARTELA WELCH iv. BENJAMIN BRITTON ARROWOOD, b. 1852 in Yancey Co.,NC and died on 7 Oct. 1889, at age 37. v. NANCY ANN ELIZA ARROWOOD, b. Jun, 24, 1854 in Yancey Co.,NC. vi. RACHAEL M. ARROWOOD, b. 1856 in Yancey Co, NC., and died at Right fork of Greasy, KY. vii. MARGARET JANE ARROWOOD, b. 1858 in Yancey Co, NC., and died on 6 July 1883 in Johnson Co., KY., at age 25. viii. MARY ELIZABETH ARROWOOD, b. Sept. 1862 in Buncombe Co., NC and died after 1910.;m. ROSCOE STAPLETON ix. HARRIET ARROWOOD, b. 1863 in Buncombe Co., NC. x. EMILY ALETHA,b. 1867 in Johnson Co, KY. Child of JOHN JACKSON ARROWOOD and MARTELA WELCH: xi. FANNY E. ARROWOOD,b. 1877 in Johnson Co, KY. Generation 3 2. GEORGE3 WASHINGTON ARROWOOD(John2,James1) was born March 1846 in Yancey Co, NC., and died in 1933 in Waverly City, OH., at age 87. He married (1)Samantha Dillingham in April 1863 in Buncombe Co., NC. Samantha was born about 1847 in Bunkum, NC. He married (2) FRANCIS CAUDILL on 4 Jan 1900. Children of GEORGE WASHINGTON ARROWOOD and SAMANTHA DILLINGHAM: i. MARY4 ELLEN ARROWOOD,b. 18 September 1865 in NC and died on 2 March 1951 in Tutor Key, KY, at age 85.;m. ROSENCRANZ STAPLETON ii. WILLIAM GARRETT ARROWOOD,b. May 1867 in (Johnson Co., KY.?) iii. TRINVILLA ARROWOOD,b. Abt. 1869. iv. NANCY ELMYRA ARROWOOD,b. 27 Dec. 1873 in NC., died on 4 Jan. 1948 in Offutt, Johnson Co., KY., at age 74, and was buried in Offutt, Johnson Co., KY. v. ANDREW JACKSON ARROWOOD,b. 3 Feb. 1874 in Johnson Co., KY., and died on 6 Sept. 1894 in Boons Camp, Johnson Co., KY.,; m. MARY JANE DANIEL vi. HARRIET ARROWOOD,b. Abt. 1877 in KY. vii. ALICE ARROWOOD,b. 4 Aug. 1880 in Johnson Co., KY. viii. ALBERT ARROWOOD,b. 4 Aug. 1880 in Johnson Co., KY. ix. MINTY ARROWOOD,b. 1883 in Johnson Co.,KY. x. LOUVENIA ARROWOOD,b. 30 Jan. 1886 in Johnson Co., KY., and died on 12 Nov. 1979 in Pike Co., KY, at age 93. 3. JAMES3 MARION ARROWOOD(John2,James1) was born in Apr. 1848 in Yancey Co., NC and died on 13 Mar 1903 in Johnson Co, KY, at age 54. He married DELILAH JANE PRICE 12 Aug. 1870 in Johnson Co., KY. She was born 20 May 1854 in KY and died on 10 Apr. 1941 in KY. Note for JAMES MARION ARROWOOD: The cause of his death was cause of death Typhoid Fever. (Source of family information:Del Spencer) Children of JAMES MARION ARROWOOD and DELILAH JANE PRICE: i. DICY4 E. ARROWOOD,b. May 1872 in KY. Notes for DICY E. ARROWOOD: Located on 1880 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 8, born in KY. (p. 179) Located on 1900 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 28, born in KY. Father born in NC; mother born KY. (p. 59) ii. JOHN H. ARROWOOD, b. aBT. 1874 in Ky. Notes: BIRTH: Estimated, age 6 on 1880 Census. Located on 1880 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 6, born in KY. (p. 179) iii. MARETTA (Mary C.) ARROWOOD, b. in May 1877 in Ky. Notes: (1880) Johnson Co., KY, living with parents. Age 4, born in KY. (p. 179) (1900) Johnson Co., KY, living with husband. Age 23, born in KY. Parents born KY. (p.40) Listed as Mary C. iv. JUDITH B. ARROWOOD,b. Abt. 1879 in KY. Notes: BIRTH: Estimated, age 1 on 1880 Census. (1880) Located on 1880 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 1, born in KY. (p. 179) v. ALONZO ARROWOOD,b. Oct. 1882 in KY. vi. WILLIAM K. ARROWOOD,b. Apr. 1885 in KY. Notes: BIRTH: 1900 Census. Twin. Located on 1900 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 15, born in KY. Father born in NC; mother born KY. (p. 59) vii. LILLIE ARROWOOD,b. Apr. 1885 in KY. Notes: BIRTH: 1900 Census. Twin. Located on 1900 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 15, born in KY. Father born in NC; mother born KY. (p. 59) viii. THOMAS ARROWOOD,b. Dec. 1889 in KY. Notes: BIRTH: 1900 Census. Located on 1900 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 10, born in KY. Father born in NC; mother born KY. (p. 59) ix. JESSE ARROWOOD,b. Nov. 1890 in KY. Notes: BIRTH: 1900 Census. Located on 1900 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 9, born in KY. Father born in NC; mother born KY. (p. 59) 4. WILLIAM3 JACKSON ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born 1850 in Yancey Co.,NC and died Dec. 31, 1936 in Johnson Co., KY. He married MARTILIA WELCH. She was born Aug. 8 1857 Johnson Co., KY., and died __?. D/o THOMAS JEFFERSON WELCH and FRANCIS SPEARS. (Source: Mariann and Don Merritt) Notes for WILLIAM JACKSON ARROWOOD: Buried at Wiley Branch, Johnson Co., KY. He enlisted in the spring of 1864, at age 13, in his father's company[Co.K, 14th Btn NC Cavalry] and served until the surrender at Busbee, NC, on May 3, 1865. He came to Johnson County with his parents in 1867 and became a farmer on Wiley Branch in Johnson County. He died there on Dec. 31, 1936, and is buried on Wiley Branch. His obituary in the local newspaper incorrectly identified him as a "Yankee" veteran.(Source: Research notes of Eileen Brudwick.) 1910 Census William J Arrowood Enumeration District: 0080 Color: W Age: 59 Birth Place: North Carolina Visit: 0039 County: Johnson Relation: Husband Relatives: Wife Martela 52, Kentucky Daughter Florence 20, Kentucky Son Ulyses G 18, Kentucky Son Peter S 18, Kentucky Daughter Emma M 15, Kentucky Daughter Julia 12, Kentucky Son Garret D 09, Kentucky Children of WILLIAM JACKSON ARROWOOD and MARTILIA WELCH: i. FRANCIS "FANNA" WELCH,b. 1875 KY. ii. JOHN3 C. ARROWOOD,b. Abt. 1878 iii. THOMAS GEORGE ARROWOOD,b. Oct 1879 KY. iv. NANCY JANE "NANNIE" ARROWOOD,b. Jan. 1882 KY;m. BASCOM CASTLE Note for NANNIE ARROWOOD: This from Don M.: Also, the Nannie Arrowood, born Jan 1882, the daughter of Jackson Arrowood and Martilia Welch was married to Bascom Castle. Nannie's full name was Nancy Jane, with Nannie as her nickname. At this time, I do not know the parents of Bascom Castle, but this was Bascom's 2nd marriage, as he was previously married to Fanny Preston, who died in 1901. v. JAMES M. ARROWOOD,b. Sep. 1884 KY vi. HENRY FARRIS ARROWOOD,b. Mar. 25, 1887 Ky;d. Sept. 10, 1957; m. JULIA DANIEL Note for HENRY FARRIS ARROWOOD: 1910 Johnson Co.,KY Census: Faris Arrowood Enumeration District: 0080 Color: W Age: 23 Birth Place: Kentucky Visit: 0040 County: Johnson Relation: Husband Relatives: Wife Julia Daniel 20, Kentucky Daughter Nellie 03, Kentucky Son Clarence NR, Kentucky Two obituaries for Farris Arrowood appeared in The Paintsville Herald Wednesday 9-18-1957 FARRIS ARROWOOD Services For Well-Known County Resident Farris Arrowood, 70, died at his home in West Van Lear Tuesday, September 10, following an illness of two weeks. A native of Johnson County he was born March 25, 1887 the son of the late William J. and Martela Welch Arrowood. He has made his home in West Van Lear for the past twenty five years. He formally served as Police Judge of Van Lear and prior to his retirement was employed by the Consolidation Coal Company and Cox's Garage. Survivors include his widow, Julia Daniel Arrowood, one son Clyde, Dayton, Ohio, one daughter, Nella Arrowood at home. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Julia Russell, Merrimac, WV., Mrs. Emma Brown, Van Lear, Mrs. Florence Wallace, Waylan, Mrs. Nancy Castle, Tutor Key; Garrett Arrowood, Kodak; Liss Arrowood, Gallipolis, Ohio; Pete Arrowood, Kenova, WV., Marion Arrowood, River. Funeral services were held at the Paintsville Church of God at 2:30 pm Friday, September 13, by the Rev Moses Kitchen and Rev Robert Kitchen. Music was by the Toms Creek Quartet Burial was in the Richmond Cemetery in this city. The Paintsville Herald Wednesday 9-18-1957 (Source: Johnson County Historical Society) Henry Farris Arrowood Henry Farris Arrowood, born March 25, 1887 at River, Ky., died September 10, 1957 at 2:30 am at his home. He was 70 years, 5 months and 16 days old. He was the son of William and Matilia Welch Arrowood, who preceded him in death. He met and married Julia Daniel, and to this union were born five children, of which two preceded him in infancy, one son, Clarence Arrowood preceded him also at the age of 28 years. Those children that survive are : Clyde Arrowood,Dayton, Ohio, one daughter, Nella Arrowood at home, This leaves to mourn his passing his wife, two children, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, four brothers and four sisters. These are: Marion Arrowood, River; Pete Arrowood, Kenova, WV.; Garrett Arrowood, Kodak; Ulysses Arrowood, Gallipolis,Ohio;Mrs. Julia Russell, Merrimac, WV., Mrs. Emma Brown, Van Lear, Mrs. Florence Wallace, Wayland, Mrs. Nancy Jane Castle, Thealka. Surviving also are three uncles: Ulysses, John C. And S. Esperson Welch and a host of Relatives and friends. Paintsville Herald Wednesday 9-25-1957 (Source: Johnson County Historical Society) vii. FLORENCE ARROWOOD,b. Oct. 1889 KY viii. ULYSSES G. ARROWOOD,b. Mar. 1892 ix. PETER S. ARROWOOD,b. Mar. 1892 x. EMMA ARROWOOD,b. Mar. 1895 xi. JULIA ARROWOOD,b. Aug. 1897 xii. GARRETT ARROWOOD,b. 1901 5. BENJAMIN3 BRITTON ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born in 1852 in Yancey Co., NC and died on 7 Oct. 1889, at age 37. He married JUDITH WALTER 1 Jan. 1874 in Johnson Co, KY. Children of BENJAMIN BRITTON ARROWOOD and JUDITH WALTER: i. GEORGE4 A. ARROWOOD,b. 22 Jan. 1875 and died on 22 Jan. 1875. Notes: He died as an infant ii. JOHN WALTER ARROWOOD,b. 19 Dec. 1875. iii. SHADRACK WALTER ARROWOOD,b. 1 May 1876 and died on 26 June 1907 in Coldwater Creek, Martin Co., Ky, at age 31. iv. GEORGE MELVIN ARROWOOD,b. Aug. 1879. 6. NANCY3 ANN ELIZA ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born on 24 June 1854 in Yancey Co, NC. and died Oct. 21, 1898 in Johnson Co.,Ky. She married JOHN C. WALTERS on Sept. 11, 1873 in Johnson Co.,KY. Notes: according to notes from Stanley Branch, Nancy Ann Eliza Arrowood, born June 24, 1854 in Yancey County, NC; died Oct. 21, 1898 in Johnson Co., KY. Children of NANCY ANN ELIZA ARROWOOD and JOHN C. WALTERS: i. SHADRACK4 WALTERS,b. Sept. 6, 1874 ii. WILLIAM JACKSON WALTERS,b. Sept. 24, 1876,died Dec. 9, 1956, age 80. iii. SARAH ELLEN WALTERS,b. Jan. 22, 1879,died Jan. 17, 1903,age 23. iv. EMILY ALTHA WALTERS,b. Dec. 20, 1880,died Dec. 14, 1972,age 91 v. GEORGE NAPOLEON WALTERS,b. Feb. 12, 1883,died Mar. 14, 1971,age 88. vi. JOHN ELLIOTT WALTERS,b. Feb. 22, 1885;d. Feb. 26, 1941 Note for JOHN ELLIOTT WALTER: Former Local Man Dies At Betsy Layne John E. Walters, 56, formerly of Johnson County and a resident of Betsy Layne for the last several years, died at his home there February 26, and was buried at Laynesville. He was the son of John C. and Nancy Arrowood Walters who preceded him in death when he was a small boy. Mr. Walters was a prosperous merchant at Betsy Layne and his loss will be felt by a multitude of friends. He is survived by his widow, Noula Clark Walters, six sons and two daughters, all of Betsy Layne except one daughter who lives in Pikeville. Mr. Walters was the brother of W. J. Walters, Offutt; George N. Walters, Shoals, W. Va.; Edford L. Walters, Ft. Mitchell, Ky., and Mrs. Leatha Clark Steele, Betsy Layne. He was the uncle of Herbert L. Clark, Pikeville, and W. E. Clark, Betsy Layne. He was also a cousin of C. F. and Charlie Walters, of Paintsville, also John B. Wells, Sr., and Irvin and Henry Arrowood, also of Paintsville. Paintsville Herald Thursday 3-13-1941 (Source: Johnson Co. Historical Society) vii. LILLIE LEE WALTERS,b. Mar. 30, 1889,died May 9, 1891,age 2. viii. EDFORD LEWIS WALTERS,b. July 29, 1891,died on Aug. 24, 1961, age 70. 7. RACHAEL3 M. ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born in May 1856 in Yancey Co., NC., and died in Right fork of Greasy, KY. She married ZACHARIAH STANDIFUR on 11 July 1878 in Johnson Co, KY. Note for RACHAEL M. ARROWOOD: Marriage Notes: another reference says....She married ZACHARIAH STANDIFUR November 07, 1878. Children of RACHAEL M. ARROWOOD and ZACHARIAH STANDIFUR: i. MARY4 E. STANDIFUR,b. 1880. ii. JUDIA STANDIFUR,b. Jan. 1884. iii. LYDIA STANDIFUR,b. May 1887. iv. ANNA STANDIFUR,b. June 1888. v. ENOCH STANDIFUR,b. May 1891. vi. ELIJAH STANDIFUR,b. May 1891. vii. BENJAMIN "BENNIE" STANDIFUR,b. May 1894. 8. MARGARET3 JANE ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born April 9, 1858 in Yancey Co.,NC., and died July 6, 1883 in Johnson Co.,KY at age 25. She married CHARLES JEFFERSON WELLS Aug. 16, 1877 in Johnson Co., KY., s/o Rev. WILLIAM GREEN WELLS and MARY BUTCHER. Born Mar. 19, 1856 in Daniels Creek, Johnson Co.,KY., and died July 9, 1884 in Offutt,KY. Note for MARGARET JANE ARROWOOD WELLS: Buried in J. B. Wells Cemetery in Paintsville, KY. Note for CHARLES JEFFERSON WELLS: Buried in J. B. Wells Cemetery in Paintsville, KY. Children of MARGARET JANE ARROWOOD and CHARLES JEFFERSON WELLS: i. JACOB4 GREEN WELLS,b. Oct. 22, 1879 ii. JOHN BRITTON WELLS,b. Oct. 22, 1880 Notes for JOHN BRITTON WELLS: Charles Jefferson Wells, the tenth child of Dr. Wells, was born on Daniels Creek on Mar. 19, 1856. Between 1878 and 1882, his father deeded him 350 acres of land on "Lick Branch," a small tributary of Greasy Creek near his father's home. On August 16, 1877, Charles Jefferson married Margaret Jane Arrowood, a native of Yancey County, North Carolina, who moved to Kentucky with her parents to escape the rigors of post-Civil War Reconstruction. Charles built a small log dwelling for the couple near the mouth of the left fork of Lick Branch and it was there that both of their sons were born. Jacob Green Wells was born on October 22, 1879, and John Britton Wells was born on October 22, 1880. Charles Jefferson Wells entered the timber business even before his marriage. By 1883, most of his 350 acres on Lick Branch had been cleared. Typically, Wells hauled the logs to the Big Sandy River by mule team and then floated them down river to market at Catlettsburg. On November 12, 1883, he purchased 15 additional acres at "Ward City"(now Offutt) which included a store origin- ally operated by C.C. Price. Wells continued in the timber business, but also ran the store. Additionally, on December 19, 1883, he was appointed as Ward City's postmaster. This proved to be a most lucrative position since every resident of Ward City had to visit Wells' store in order to receive their mail. Additionally, Charles assisted in his father's mule trading business with war-time friends in Coweta Co., Ga, often spending several weeks at a time driving mules to the market town of Newnan, Georgia. Tragically, on July 6, 1883, his young wife Margaret Jane died of typhoid fever, leaving Charles with two young boys. Therefore, less than 5 months later, on January 3, 1884, he married in Martin County, to Levisa Hinkle, the sister of Charles' brother-in-law, Eli Hinkle. He brought his new wife back to Johnson Co., and to his two sons, but her stay with the family was brief. While floating logs down river to Catlettsburg, Charles contracted pneumonia and died on July 9, 1884. His grave is located in the J.B. Wells Cemetery in Paintsville. Soon after his death, Levisa left the two orphaned boys with their grand- mother, Mary Butcher Wells, and returned to Martin Co., where she later remarried to J. C. Newberry. Until they reached their mid-teens the boys were passed from relative to relative. They first lived with their aged grand- mother, but soon became too much for her to handle. Next, they stayed with their Uncle Aaron Wells, but after a short time were sent to work as laborers for their Uncle Jacob Wells. Both brothers described the time with their uncles as very hard. Treated more as servants than nephews, they were subjected to hard labor and minimal comforts. About 1895, they moved out on their own, building a one room log shanty on Lick Branch, less than 1/4 mile from their birthplace. After attempting for a short time to develop their own timber business, local economic condition forced them to seek employment near Summerville, West Virginia, in the bustling logging camps. Both boys were employed to roll logs onto railroad cars, a difficult and physically demanding task. Since they were small and thin in stature, they also had to fight their way through most altercations. At that time,logging camps were havens for all sorts of ruffians and fights were common. One such alter- cation with a burley West Virginian, proved to be a life changing moment for young John Britton Wells. To offset the difference in their sizes, John used a cant hook to fend off an attack. His aim was too good and John's opponent was sent crashing to the ground. Supposing him to be dead, John and Jacob fled back to Kentucky to their Lick Branch cabin, content not to roam too far from home again. It was later learned that the West Virginia logger survived the fight, presumably to fight again. Soon after their return from West Virginia, John met 15 year old Jennie Ward. In spite of strong opposition from her father who considered the rough young Wells "orphan" to have little potential, the couple married on October 10, 1902. John Britton and Jennie Wells built a 1 1/2 story "boxed" house on Lick Branch consisting of two rooms downstairs and two small rooms in the attic. In the beginning, the couple took in boarders who slept downstairs in the big rooms while John and Jennie slept above. Jennie supplemented their income by cooking meals for the boarders. From this meager beginning, John Britton Wells, working with Jennie in a team effort, rose to become one of the Big Sandy region's most successful businessmen. An article from the "Paintsville Herald", dated November 24, 1932, detailed his journey: "Until he was 30 years old Mr. Wells devoted his time mostly to farming and teaming.(He hauled railroad ties for the C.& O. Railroad) He entered the mercantile business in 1910 at Boons Camp, Johnson Co., KY. His first little store building was a 14x18 foot affair and its entire contents at most would have been worth only a few hundred dollars. At this time the Wells family which besides Mr. Wells consisted of Mrs. Wells and their two children(Vina and Charles), lived in a little log cabin a few yards from the tiny store. As Mr. Wells relates it, his immediate reason for going into the mercantile business was to pay workmen he had engaged in a timbering job. That is he thought to pay for most of the work in merchandise and at the same time make a small profit and do the men an added favor by underselling other merchants. He had made a little money in real estate deals and had acquired the Joe Daniel tract near the head waters of Greasy Creek and was planning to have the timber on this land sawed. However, Mr. Wells was soon to find that selling merchandise at a reasonable profit brought other customers than those working in his timber job. And when the timber was sawed and marketed the mercantile business was experiencing growing pains. His only thought now in regard to the store was to continue business at the old stand.(He also became postmaster for Boons Camp, KY.) It was two years after the opening of the little store that a new structure was erected and a more complete line of general merchandise stocked(The new store was located on the "Elias Meek Farm" at the mouth of Hurricane Creek. John B. Wells purchased this property from Jacob G. Wells on August 28, 1911). Another year and the little log cabin in which the family dwelt was replaced by a modern residence. Here the family continued to live and enjoy prosperity and the good will of the neighbors round-about until January, 1918, when Mr. Wells bought the one fourth interest in the Big Sandy Hardware Company owned by John L. Patterson(According to an announcement in the "Paintsville Herald" dated March 25, 1915, John B. Wells moved to Paintsville sometime before that date to work as a clerk for Big Sandy Hard- ware Company. Jennie remained with the children at the mouth of Hurricane and ran the store and John returned home on weekends. In January 1918, Wells bought one fourth interest in the firm and on April 26, 1918, he purchased the home of A.J. Kirk, located on Fourth Street in Paintsville. It was at this time that the rest of the family moved to town). Two years later the fourth interest owned by Clarence Preston was acquired by Mr. Wells....And when on January 17, 1924 Mr. Wells bought out C.T. Rule's half of the hardware concern he was alone in complete charge of the organization which even then had become a vast enterprise(At that time, Big Sandy Hardware was located at the southwestern corner of Main and Court streets in the building now occupied by Terry Office Supply Co.) Continuing its growth the company was forced to look for larger quarters. None being available it was decided to build. A large lot on Main Street was acquired for the purpose and a modern brick fireproof structure was built three stories high and covering almost a fourth of a block." On April 15, 1925, C. W. Wheeler sold to John B. Wells "the old hotel lot" at the corner of East and Main streets. The new hardware building was completed on this site in 1927. The article ended with a special note of honor for John's wife Jennie, "In all his undertakings Mr. Wells had the assistance of Mrs. Wells, herself an able business woman." John Britton Wells went on to become the first "motor car" dealer in Johnson County. An advertisement a December 1917 edition of the _Paintsville Herald_ announced that Big Sandy Hardware was the "headquarters" for a variety of hardware items, plus "Ford Automobiles and Accessories." In 1929, he was elected as President of Second(Citizens) National Bank, and later served as a member of the Paintsville City Council, President of the Paintsville Kiwanis Club, and in several leadership positions for Mayo Methodist Church and Paintsville Lodge #381, F. & A.M.. On September 30, 1938, he purchased a vacant lot on Main Street in Paintsville and built a large two story brick home where he lived until he died of a heart attack on February 23, 1958. His obituary noted that "he was a member of one of the county's most prominent pioneer families... and was an astute businessman.... An unassuming, pleasant, congenial man, a kind and considerate husband and father, he will be missed in this community where he contributed much to its industrial growth and social and moral betterment." On February 25, 1958, the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky passed a concurrent resolution extending the condolences of that body in recognition that "the said J. B. Wells, Sr. was one of Eastern Kentucky's most loved and respected business and civic leaders" and "the experience and leadership abilities which he demonstrated will be conspicuous by their absence in the areas of his endeavors." John B. Wells was buried in the J.B. Wells Cemetery, which he developed, beside the graves of his father and grandfather. 9. MARY3 ELIZABETH ARROWOOD(John2,James1)was born Sept. 1862 in Buncombe Co., NC., and died Aft. 1910. She married ROSCOE C.5 *STAPLETON(Eliphus4,Bazel3,Joshua2,Thomas Sr.1) Nov. 8, 1883 in Johnson Co., KY., S/o ELIPHUS and CHARLOTTE HYLTON STAPLETON. He was born Nov. 1863 in Mingo, Johnson Co., KY., and died Jan. 27, 1903 in Mingo,Johnson Co., KY. Notes for ROSCOE C. STAPLETON: He was listed as a household member of Eli Stapleton's house in the Census of 1870 in Johnson Co., KY.(HH 34) Roscoe was listed as Eli Stapleton's son in the 1880 Census in Johnson Co., KY. (HH35) In the 1900 Census, Roscoe was listed as a head of house- hold 23 June 1900 in Johnson Co., KY.(HH36) He was listed as Eli Stapleton's neighbor in the 1900 Census in Johnson Co, KY. (HH37). Children of MARY ELIZABETH ARROWOOD and ROSCOE C. STAPLETON: i. LON4 STAPLETON,b. June 1886 in Johnson Co., KY. ii. SAMUEL STAPLETON,b. 1889 in Johnson Co., KY.;m. JULIA BORDERS iii. LAURA STAPLETON,b. 1892 in Johnson Co., KY.;m. JOHN TRAVIS iv. WILLIE STAPLETON,b. 1895 in Johnson Co., KY.;m. LILLIE BRANHAM v. MILLARD STAPLETON,b. 1899 in Johnson Co., KY;d. Mar. 9, 1945 in Floyd Co.,KY. Note for MILLARD STAPLETON: Ky Death Records Vol. 011 Cert.# 05382 DV1945 vi. DORA STAPLETON,b. May 19, 1902 in Johnson Co., KY;d. Sept. 10, 1917 in Johnson Co.,KY., at age 14. Note for DORA STAPLETON: Ky Death Records Vol 057 Cert.# 28139 DV 1917 Generation 4 10. SAMUEL4 STAPLETON(Mary Elizabeth3,John2,James1)was born 1889 in Johnson Co.,KY and died Dec. 26, 1942 in Lawrence Co.,Ky. He married JULIA BORDERS Apr. 19, 1916 in Paintsville, Ky. D/o ARCHIBALD BORDERS Jr. and MARY JANE PRESTON. She was born July 28, 1892 in Richardson, Ky., and died Jan. 22, 1973 in Louisa, Ky. Notes for SAMUEL STAPLETON: Ky Death Records Vol. 055 27347 DV 1942 1920 Johnson Co.,KY. Census 35-35 STAPLETON, Samuel Head M W 30 M KY KY KY Coalminer (Borders)Julia Wife F W 27 M KY KY KY None Children of SAMUEL STAPLETON and JULIA BORDERS: i. ESTALENA5 STAPLETON,b. Mar. 03, 1917;d. Aft. 1955;m. WALTER J. HENDRICKSON ii. MAE STAPLETON,b. Apr. 29, 1919;d. Aft. 1955;m. JESSE MCKENZIE iii. CLARENCE STAPLETON,b. Abt. 1920 11. LAURA4 STAPLETON(Mary Elizabeth3,John2,James1)was born Abt. 1892 in Johnson Co., Ky., and died __?. She married JOHN TRAVIS Abt. 1909 in Johnson Co. KY. He was born 1889 in Johnson Co.,Ky. Children of LAURA STAPLETON and JOHN TRAVIS: i. ZONA5 TRAVIS,b. 1910 ii. EMMA TRAVIS,b. 1912 iii. LIZZIE TRAVIS,b. 1914 iv. DENSEL TRAVIS,b. 1918 v. VANCEL TRAVIS,b. 1919 12. WILLIE4 STAPLETON(Mary Elizabeth3,John2,James1)was born 1895 in Johnson Co., Ky., and died __?. He married LILLIE BRANHAM June 07, 1919 in Johnson Co. Ky. Note: No record of children. Generation 5 13. MARY4 ELLEN ARROWOOD(George3,John2,James1)was born Sept. 18, 1865 in NC., and died Mar. 2, 1951 in Tutor Key, Johnson Co.,KY. She married *ROSENCRANZ5 STAPLETON(Eliphus4,Bazel3, Joshua2,Thomas Sr.1) Nov. 12, 1884 in Johnson Co.,KY. S/o ELIPHUS and CHARLOTTE HYLTON STAPLETON. He was born Apr. 1864 in Mingo,Johnson Co.,KY. and died Aft. 1913 in Mingo, Johnson Co.,KY. Note for ROSENCRANZ STAPLETON: He was a farmer and coal miner. Notes for MARY ELLEN ARROWOOD: Estimated, age 5 on 1870 Census. Located on 1870 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 5, born in NC. (p. 75) Located on 1880 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents Age 14, born in KY. (p. 177) General Notes: McVay/Swanson Family Tree Entries: 24272 Updated: Tue Nov 20 04:17:08 2001 Contact: Mary Evelyn Swanson He was a farmer and coal miner. Research Notes: Notes for Rosecranz Stapleton: Rosecranz was listed as a household member of Eli Stapleton's house in the Census of 1870 in Johnson Co., KY. Rosecranz was listed as Eli Stapleton's son in the 1880 Census in Johnson Co., KY. In the 1900 Census, Rosecranz was listed as a head of household June 23, 1900 in Johnson Co, KY. He was listed as Eli Stapleton's neighbor in the 1900 Census in Johnson Co,KY. In the 1910 Census, Rosecranz was listed as a head of household April 16, 1910 in Johnson Co, KY. He was listed as Eli Stapleton's neighbor in the 1910 Census in Johnson Co, KY. Note for MARY E. (ARROWOOD) STAPLETON: OBITUARY: Mary E. Stapleton, 85, well-known resident of Tutor Key, died at 5:45 a. m., Friday, Mar. 2, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Virgie Van Hoose, after an illness of seven weeks. Born in North Carolina September 18, 1865, the daughter of the late George and Samantha Dillingham Arrowood, she had resided in the Tutor Key community for the past sixty years. Well liked and respected in that section and throughout the county, her death was a shock and loss to her many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and three sons and three daughters. Three children survive her, Mrs. Virgie Van Hoose, Mrs. Cora Price, and Hansford Stapleton all of Tutor Key. The following brothers and sisters also survive: Mrs. Alice Bayes, Ashland, Mrs. Vina Wells, Pikeville, Garrett Arrowood, Waverly, Oh.; Albert Arrowood, Offutt, and Ben Arrowood, Illinois. Funeral services were conducted at 10:00 a. m., Sunday, March 4, from the home of Mrs. Van Hoose at Tutor Key with Rev. Claude Preston officiating. Songs were presented by the Toms Creek Singers. Burial was in the family cemetery under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home. Paintsville Herald Thursday March 8, 1951 (Source: Johnson Co. Historical Society) Children of MARY ELLEN ARROWOOD and ROSENCRANZ STAPLETON: i. EMMA5 STAPLETON,b. Sept. 1885 in Johnson Co.,KY.;m. JACK BOWMAN ii. LIZZIE STAPLETON,b. July 1888 in Johnson Co.,KY.;m. DANIEL BELAMY iii. VIRGIE STAPLETON,b. Feb. 1891 in Johnson Co.,KY.;m. RASCUS VANHOOSE iv. ELI STAPLETON,b. Oct. 1894 in Johnson Co.,KY.;d. July 19, 1967 in Pike Co., Ky v. CORA STAPLETON,b. June 1896 in Johnson Co.,KY vi. HANSFORD STAPLETON,b. Feb. 23, 1899 in Johnson Co.,KY;d. Sept. 1, 1976 in in Johnson Co.,KY.,;m. AMANDA DANIEL vii. CLARENCE STAPLETON,b. about 1903 in Johnson Co., KY. viii. ROSCOE STAPLETON,b. about 1905 in Johnson Co.,KY.;d. Aft. 1910 ix. GLENDA ESTA STAPLETON,b. about 1911 in Johnson Co.,Ky.,; and died on Aug. 2, 1965;m. GEORGIE MEADE x. LAURA STAPLETON,b. about 1913 in Johnson Co.,KY 14. WILLIAM4 GARRETT ARROWOOD(George3,John2,James1)was born May 1867 in Johnson Co., KY. He married MELVINA BRANHAM Aug. 8, 1895 in Johnson Co., KY. D/o JOSEPH and EXER WARD BRANHAM. Born January 1874 in KY., and died __? Note for MELVINA BRANHAM ARROWOOD: Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Weaverly, Pike Co., KY. Notes for WILLIAM GARRETT ARROWOOD: Individual: BIRTH: Estimated, age 3 on 1870 Census. 1900 Census gives May 1870. MARRIAGE: Johnson County Kentucky Marriages, 1894-1899, by David May , p. 9. CENSUS: (1870) Johnson Co., KY, living with parents. Age 3, born in KY. (p. 7 5) 1880 census Johnson Co., KY, living with parents. Age 13, born in KY. (p . 177) 1900 census Johnson Co., KY, living with wife and 1 child. Age 30, born i n KY. Parents born KY. Farmer. (p.77) Jesse Branham, 22, brother-in- law, listed with family. Child of WILLIAM GARRETT ARROWOOD and EXER WARD: i. ELMER4 ARROWOOD,b. May 1896 in Kentucky. Notes: BIRTH: 1900 Census Johnson Co., KY, living with parents. Age 4, born in KY. Parents born KY. (p.77) 15. NANCY4 ELMYRA ARROWOOD(George3,John2,James1)was born Dec. 27, 1873 in NC., died Jan. 4, 1948 in Offutt, Johnson Co., KY. She married STEPHEN W. BRANHAM Mar. 2, 1893 in Johnson Co., KY. S/o JOSEPH and EXER WARD BRANHAM. He was born July 1869 and died Apr. 14, 1949 in Fayette Co., KY. Note for NANCY ELMYRA ARROWOOD: Buried in Offutt, Johnson Co.,KY. Notes: Individual: BIRTH: 1900 Census. CENSUS: (1900) Johnson Co., KY, living with husband and 2 children. Age 26, born in KY. Parents born KY. 2 children born, 2 living. (p. 71) Estimated, age 9 on 1880 Census. Located on 1880 Census of Johnson Co., KY, living with parents (p. 177) Children of NANCY ELMYRA ARROWOOD and STEPHEN W. BRANHAM: i. ARNOLD5 BRANHAM,b. July 1894 in Kentucky. ii. LILLIE BRANHAM,b. June 1897 in Kentucky. 16. ANDREW4 JACKSON ARROWOOD(George3,John2,James1)was born on Feb. 3, 1874 in Johnson Co., KY., and died January 19, 1931 in Boons Camp, Johnson Co., KY. He married MARY JANE DANIELS Sept. 6, 1894 in KY. She was born March 15, 1873 in River, Johnson Co., KY., and died Dec. 1963 in Johnson Co., KY. Research Notes: Notes for Andrew Jackson "Jack" "A.J." Arrowood: In the 1900 Census, Andrew was listed as a head of household June 30, 1900 in Johnson Co, KY. In 1927, A. J. resided on Greasy Creek in Johnson Co, KY. Children of ANDREW JACKSON ARROWOOD and MARY JANE DANIELS: i. ALVIN5 ARROWOOD,b. Bef. 1896 in Johnson Co., KY. Research Notes for ALVIN ARROWOOD: Alvin died in infancy. ii. HENRY ARROWOOD,b. May 1896 in Johnson Co., KY.; d. Nov. 1960 Research Notes for HENRY ARROWOOD: Hall's Johnson County History (1928) says, "Henry Arrowood is a reporter. He worked for a time for the Paintsville Herald. Leaving there he went with the Herald-Post of Louisville, KY, and later with the Courier-Journal, where he is at present. Henry is another of those 'Big Sandy Boys' who have gone out of the valley and made good. He is untiring in his efforts to do some- thing for his fellow Big Sandians, and his writings are of interest to anyone acquainted with that section." (Source: Stanley Branch.) iii. LEONARD ARROWOOD,b. April 1898 in Johnson Co., KY.;d. Dec. 5, 1984 Research Notes for LEONARD ARROWOOD: Leonard resided in West Van Lear, KY in 1928. iv. IRVIN R. ARROWOOD,b. June 18, 1901 in Johnson Co., KY; d. Feb. 12, 1983 in Johnson Co., KY;m. VINA WELLS Notes for IRVIN R. ARROWOOD: Hall's Johnson County History (1928) says, "Like his brother Henry, Irvin R. Arrowood is journalistically inclined. He has written several short stories, one of which was "So's Your Old Salesman", which was widely published. He began his business career in the machine shops of the North-East Coal Company, later going with his father-in-law into the hardware business, and is at present connected with the Big Sandy Hardware Company, as traveling salesman, with headquarters at Paintsville." (Source: Stanley Branch) v. GLENN ARROWOOD,b. Jan. 18, 1904 in Johnson Co., KY.;d. Mar. 23, 1987 in Huntington, Cabell Co., WV. vi. FLEM D. ARROWOOD,b. Feb. 24, 1906 in Johnson Co., KY.;d. Dec. 8, 1994 in Huntington, Cabell Co., WV. vii. SAMANTHA ARROWOOD,b. Jan. 11, 1908 in Yose Branch, Johnson Co., KY.; d. 26 March 1996. viii. BENJAMIN ARROWOOD,b. Nov. 5, 1911 in Boons Camp, Johnson Co., KY.,; d. Feb. 3, 1997 in Columbus, Franklin Co., OH. 17. VINA4 (Louvenia) ARROWOOD(George3,John2, James1)was born Jan. 30, 1886 in Johnson Co., KY., and died Nov. 12, 1979 in Pike Co., KY. She married RICHARD GROVER WELLS. He was born Abt. 1885 Children of VINA ARROWOOD and RICHARD GROVER WELLS: i. RICHARD5 GROVER WELLS Jr.,b. __?. ii. WALTER RAY WELLS,b. Apr. 5, 1910 in Pike Co., KY. 17. JOHN4 BRITTON WELLS Sr.(Margaret Jane3,John2,James1)was born Oct. 22, 1880 and died 1958. He married JENNY WARD. General Notes: Hall's Johnson County History (1927) says, "John Britton Wells was reared on Greasy Creek, where he began business running a general merchandise store. From there he bought part interest in the Big Sandy Hardware Company, later gaining control of the business. Under his able management the concern outgrew its quarters and is now located in a new building which Mr. Wells recently constructed for the hardware business. He is a member of the City Council, and one of the leaders of Paintsville. Charles Wells is in business with his father." Children JOHN BRITTON WELLS Sr. and JENNY WARD: i. VINA5 WELLS,b. Sept. 24, 1904. ii. CHARLES JEFFERSON WELLS,b. Oct. 5, 1905.;d. July 5, 1955 Research Notes: Charles Jefferson Wells, the oldest son of John B. and Jennie, started in business with his father in Big Sandy Hardware, but, in 1945, he founded his own businesses. Charles founded "Hardware Charlie" Furniture Co., on Main Street in Paintsville, and a propane gas distributorship that he operated from a back room in the furniture store. "Hardware Charlie" was one of the most popular figures in the Big Sandy area and was well known throughout East Kentucky. He and his first wife, Gladys Ray, had one daughter, Margaret Louise, born on April 8, 1927, in Paintsville. She married Mariano Hernandez on June 19, 1948, and worked as a teacher for over thirty years in various school systems. Charles Jefferson and his second wife, Elizabeth Rice, were the parents of two children, Betty Rose Wells, born on August 15, 1935, and Charles Carroll Wells, born at Paintsville on August 18, 1934. A graduate of Millersburg Military Academy, Charles Carroll attended Transylvania University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After his father's death on July 5, 1955, Charles assumed ownership of the propane distributorship which he operated as Hardware Charlie Gas until 1996 when the company was sold. Charles served as President of the Kentucky Propane Association in 1970 and in 1996 was elected Chairman of the Board for Citizen's National Bank in Paintsville. He is also the author of several genealogical books and a member of the Capt. William Green Wells Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He married on November 19, 1957, to Carlos Evelyn Horn, of Prestonsburg, KY. The couple had one child, Charles Britton Wells, born on November 11, 1959, who received a B.A. from Georgetown College and is currently Associate Director of the Kentucky Association of State Employees. He married to Sheila Price of Johnson County, KY, and they reside in Georgetown, KY. iii. John BRITTON WELLS Jr.,b. July 4, 1914 in Johnson Co., KY. Another name for John was J. B. General Notes: JB Wells III has. He is a great researcher. He has sold the hardware Store (BIg Sandy) and moved to Georgia to live near sons. Guess he is getting on and feels the need. The youngest son of John B. and Jennie Wells, John B. Wells, Jr., called "J.B.," moved to Paintsville from Greasy Creek with his parents when only four years old. He attended Paintsville city schools and the Mayo Seminary before graduating from Kentucky Military Institute in 1932. As a football player at Paintsville High School, he received the nickname "Galloping Ghost." He was an active member of the oratorical team and represented his school in area competitions and was also an accomplished musician, playing in local dance bands. After completing his education as a business major at the University of Kentucky, where he was active in student govern- ment and a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, he returned to Paintsville and entered the family business as an officer of Big Sandy Hardware Company. On his 21st birthday, July 4, 1935, he married at Louisa, Kentucky, to Patsy Evelyn Phillis. They had two children, Cecilia Ann Wells, who died hours after she was born on Sept. 4, 1937, and Patricia Jane Wells who was born on September 19, 1939. Although quite active in the family business, J.B. Wells found time to devote to public service. His oratorical skills were put to good use in numerous speeches to local civic groups in preparation for a run for the office of Paintsville mayor. On November 7, 1939, he was elected over James N. Meek by a vote of 418 to 325. Ruth Wells was elected as city attorney and Roy Melvin as a member of city council. D.H. Dorton was appointed as the city's treasurer. Local newspapers noted that J.B. Wells Jr. was at that time the youngest mayor in the entire nation, being only 25 years old when inaugurated. Over the ensuing decades, Wells was re-elected six times, defeating such prominent local politicians as F.S. VanHoose, Roy Melvin, Jim Meek, and Kenneth Williams. Mayor Wells proved to be the most effective and innovative leader in the city's history and did much to give Paintsville the reputation as the most progressive city in south- eastern Kentucky. His major accomplishments included the purchase of the city gas and water systems, the development of a city park and playground complete with a $110,000 city swimming pool, the construction of affordable municipal housing, a $300,000 water filtration plant, the initiation of garbage disposal services, and an urban renewal program. During World War II, he was one of Paintsville's first military volunteers. Joining the Army Air Corps, he left Paintsville on January 28, 1942, for training at Maxwell Field, Alabama. His departure from the C.& O. Railroad Depot was witnessed by a crowd of over 200 well-wishers and the Paintsville High School band. One speaker noted that Wells was the only sitting mayor in the country to volunteer. After his discharge from the service, Wells returned to Paintsville and resumed his duties as the city's "wartime" mayor. His first marriage ending in divorce, he remarried on December 1, 1944, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Martha Gess Hayman, the daughter of John Henry and Ada(Duncan) Hayman. She was a native of Lexington and a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she majored in economics and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. J.B. and Martha Wells had four children. John Britton Wells, III, was born on June 11, 1946, in Lexington, and married to Terrie Ann Barrier. Mary Berkley Wells, born on February 15, 1948, in Lexington, married twice, first to William Stevens, and second, on March 31, 1979, to Dean C. Hammond. Martha Duncan Wells was born at Paintsville on August 11, 1955, and married to David Heil on August 14, 1976. The youngest daughter, Jennie Britton Wells, was born at Paintsville on August 13, 1959, and married to Michael Scruggs. At his father's death in 1958, J.B. Wells, Jr. rose to the presidency of Big Sandy Hardware Co., Inc. and rapidly expanded its distribution into parts of Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. The company soon became the largest wholesaler of its kind in the region. While increasing the business, Wells somehow also found time for membership on various commissions and boards. He served as President of the Paintsville Kiwanis Club, Vice President of Second(Citizens) National Bank, started his own coal company, organized two garment factories and a loan company, coached a semi-pro baseball team, and assisted with the local chapter of the American Legion. In 1955, Wells entered state politics. After resigning as mayor and taking a leave of absence from Big Sandy Hardware, he was appointed as Kentucky's Rural Highway Commissioner in the administration of Gov. A. B. "Happy" Chandler. He also served Chandler as the Governor's official liason to the Kentucky General Assembly. In 1959, he capped his state career by running for the Democratic Party's nomination for Lt. Governor. His slogan "Keep A Friend in Frankfort" carried him to a second place finish out of a field of seven candidates. iv. SARAH MARGARET WELLS,b. Apr. 6, 1917. v. IRENE WELLS,b. June 24, 1921. Generation 6 19. EMMA5 STAPLETON(Mary Ellen4,George3,John2,James1) was born Sept. 1885 in Johnson Co.,Ky., and died __?. She married JACK BOWMAN. He was born __? and died __? Notes: No record of children. 20. LIZZIE5 STAPLETON(Mary Ellen4,George3,John2,James1) was born July 1888 in Johnson Co. Ky., and died __?. She married DANIEL BELAMY Jan. 1, 1905 in Johnson Co. KY. He was born __? and died __?. Notes: No record of children. 21. VIRGIE5 STAPLETON(Mary Ellen4,George3,John2,James1) was born Feb. 1891 in Johnson Co. KY. and died __?. She married RASCUS VANHOOSE Oct. 25, 1908 in Johnson Co. KY. He was born 1888 Children of VIRGIE STAPLETON and RASCUS VANHOOSE: i. MARION6 VANHOOSE,b. 1912 ii. BLANCHE VANHOOSE,b. 1915 iii. CARL N. VANHOOSE,b. 1918 Note for VIRGIE STAPLETON VANHOOSE: Virgie Stapleton VanHoose, 84, died at her home in Paintsville, August 18, 1975 after an extended illness. The daughter of the late R. C. and Mary Ellen Arrowood Stapleton, she was born in Johnson County, February 7, 1891. She was affiliated with the Toms Creek United Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rascus VanHoose, January 13, 1961. Surviving sons are Earl VanHoose of River, Carl Thomas VanHoose of Decatur, Tenn., and Marion VanHoose of Twilight, W. Va. Surviving daughters are Mrs. Blanche Meade of Paintsville and Mary Elizabeth Haney of Orient, Ohio. A brother Hansford Stapleton of Tutor Key, and a sister, Mrs. Joe Price of Tennessee, 29 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were Wednesday, August 20 in the Preston Funeral Home Chapel. O. I. Williams and Callie J. Sparks officiated. Burial was in Stapleton Family Cemetery at Baker Branch with Preston Funeral Home in charge. Paintsville Herald Wednesday August 27, 1975 (Source: Johnson Co. Historical Society) 22. HANSFORD5 STAPLETON(Mary Ellen4,George3,John2,James1) was born Feb. 23, 1899 in Johnson Co. KY., and died Sept. 01, 1976 in Johnson Co. KY. He married AMANDA DANIEL July 27, 1929 in Johnson Co. KY. She was born May 12, 1899 and died May 22, 1979 in Johnson Co. KY. Note for HANSFORD STAPLETON and AMANDA DANIEL: Both are buried in the Daniel Cemetery,off Rt. 201 at Sitka, Ky Note for HANSFORD STAPLETON: Ky Death Records Vol 044 Cert.# 21814 DV 1976 OBITUARY: HANSFORD STAPLETON Hansford (Hank) Stapleton, 77 died Wednesday, September 1, 1976 in the Paintsville Hospital. Mr. Stapleton was born February 24, 1899 in Johnson County, the son of Cann (Rosencranz) and Mary Ellen Arrowood Stapleton. He was a resident of Tutor Key, a retired coal miner, and had been a member of the Toms Creek United Baptist Church since January 25, 1925. Mr. Stapleton was married in Johnson County on July 27, 1929, to Amanda Daniel Stapleton, who survives. Other survivors include four sons, Curtis and Jimmy of Tutor Key, Irvin of River and Clarance of Stone, a daughter, Mrs. Esta Mae Price of Mobile, Al; a sister Cora Price of Florida; 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday, September 5, in the Toms Creek United Baptist Church with Elders Buell Ferguson, C. J. Sparks and Charles Price officiating. Burial was in the Stapleton Family Cemetery at Tutor Key with Preston Funeral Home handling arrangements. (Source: Johnson Co. Historical Society) Children of HANSFORD STAPLETON and AMANDA DANIEL: i. CLARENCE6 STAPLETON,b. July 12, 1934;d. Aug. 24, 2000 at Tudor Key, Ky.;m. ALICE WEBB Notes for CLARENCE STAPLETON: Clarence Stapleton 1934-2000 Retired miner Clarence “Bear” Stapleton, 65, died Thursday, August 24, at his Tutor Key residence. Mr. Stapleton was born July 12, 1934, in Johnson County, to the late Hansford and Amanda Daniel Stapleton. Surviving are his wife, Alice Webb Stapleton; one son, C. Michael Stapleton of Georgetown; three brothers, Curtis Sr. and Jimmy Stapleton, both of Tutor Key, and Ervin Stapleton of River; and one sister, Esta Mae Price of Mobile, Alabama. Funeral services were held August 26 at Preston Funeral Home Chapel, with Jeff Burchett officiating. Burial followed at Stapleton Cemetery, Tutor Key. (Source: Johnson Co. Historical Society) ii. CURTIS STAPLETON,b. Abt. 1938 in Johnson Co.,Ky.,; d. __? m. ROZELLA STAMBAUGH iii. JAMES E. STAPLETON,b. 1937;d. Aug. 17, 1987 in Fayette Co.,Ky. Note for JAMES E. STAPLETON: JAMES E STAPLETON Deathdate 19870817 Age 050 Sex male Race White Placecode 234 Place FYETE Residence 007 Volume 039 Cert 19406 Deathvol 87 iv. ERVIN STAPLETON,b. __? v. ESTA MAE STAPLETON,b. __?