His Honour Judge Wells died at his home in the town of Welland at an early hour on Friday morning. He had been ill for over a month, but it was only during the week preceding his death that his condition became serious. The immediate cause of death was an acute attack of heart trouble, aggravated by inflammation of the lungs.

Judge Wells was appointed to the County Judgeship of Welland by the Laurier Government nine years ago.

The Welland Telegraph says of him that in his official capacity he had earned a reputation among legal men as a judge at once eminently fair and capable. He was an Anglican, and a funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at his residence, conducted by Rev. James Thompson. The service was largely attended, the bar of the county being well represented. On Monday morning the body was taken to the 9.05 Wabash for Simcoe. The pallbearers at Welland were T. D. Cowper, County Crown Attorney; Col. J. E. Cohoe, Surrogate Registrar; W. M. German, M.P.; Hon. Richard Harcourt, H. W. Macoomb, and G. H. Pettit.

Accompanying the remains to Simcoe, besides Mrs. Wells, there came her two brothers, Dr. James and Dr. John Sharpe, of Toledo, Ohio, and Mrs. Van Meter (nee Miss Susie Sharpe), of New York. Also Col. Cohoe, Dr. McGarry, Mr. Cowper, Mr. Fraser, Police Magistrate of Niagara Falls, and W. A. Douglas, K.C., of Toronto, all intimate friends of deceased.

A second service was held at two o'clock Monday at the residence of Mr. R. W. Wallace, Head Street, Canon Hicks, Rev. Jas. Johnson and Dr. Byran taking part. Interment was made in the family plot in Oakwood Cemetery. The following were pallbearers: Dr. McIntosh, H. H. Groff, H. P. Innes, K.C., J. D. Christie, G. A. Curtis and H. B. Donly. 

DESCENDANT OF PROMINENT FAMILY

George W. Wells was the third child of Lyman and Ruth Wells. On his father's side he traced his ancestry direct to Hugh Wells, who came to America in 1834 and was a brother of Thomas Wells, an early governor of the colony of Connecticut. Lyman Wells' mother was an Otis, a relative of James Otis, of Massachusetts, prominent on the revolutionary side when the colonists rebelled against Britain.

Lyman Wells came to Canada in the early thirties of the last century and taught school at Niagara. Then he moved to Waterford and finally to Simcoe, where he settled down. His wife was Ruth, daughter of Col. Philip Vasbinder, a well-known pioneer. Early in life he had studied dentistry. He resumed his practice and continued until his death, building up a lacerative business and a wide reputation.

AN EARLY AFFLICTION

Of these parents George Wells was born in 1850. He was educated in the town common and grammar schools, afterward studying for two years at Toronto University, where he was unfortunately presented from graduating by almost total blindness, an affliction which he suffered until his death. He took up the study of law, and by surmounting great difficulties caused by his feeble eye-sight, finished an excellent course in 1876.

He practiced law in Simcoe and was very successful, obtaining his K.C. from both the Ontario and Dominion Governments in 18[9]0. He continued his practice in Simcoe until called to the bench and appointed to Welland county. In Simcoe he was on the Board of Education for several years and was chairman for two years.

He was a fine public speaker and took a prominent part in politics. Although never a candidate, he was often spoken of for that honor.

He was twice married, his second wife surviving him.

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At a largely attended meeting of legal men of Welland county, the following resolution was passed:

"The Bar Association of the county of Welland has learned with sorrow of the passing away on Thursday night last of His Honor George W. Wells, late Judge of this county. Before his appointment to the bench nearly ten years ago, the late Judge practised his profession in Simcoe, in which place and through the western part of the province he had gained a reputation as an able lawyer -- a reputation which he amply sustained on the bench. The association feels that in his demise, the bench and the bar have sustained a loss, and to his widow and friends the members of the association would respectfully tender their sincere sympathy.