John Wells
Born: 16 September 1864
Called as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 18 July 1918
Honorably Released: 6 April 1938
Died: 18 April 1941
Called as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 18 July 1918
Honorably Released: 6 April 1938
Died: 18 April 1941
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 3
Improvement Era, September 1918, Bishop John Wells
Young Woman's Journal, September 1918, Bishop John Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, The Passing of John Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, John Wells
Improvement Era, September 1918, Bishop John Wells
Young Woman's Journal, September 1918, Bishop John Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, The Passing of John Wells
Improvement Era, June 1941, John Wells
Jenson, Andrew. "Wells, John." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 3. pg. 791-793.
WELLS, John, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, was born Sept. 16, 1864, in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Thomas Potter Wells and Sarah Cook. He was reared in Nottingham and there he became a companion and playmate of Elder Arthur W. Winter, who was instrumental in his conversion to the gospel. In August, 1882, he was baptized at Nottingham, England, and subsequently ordained to the Lesser Priesthood, commencing his active duties in the Church within a few days after his baptism. In 1885 he was appointed president of the Nottingham branch, in which calling he labored diligently until his emigration to Zion. He left England with his wife, Almena Thorpe (whom he married in 1886), and a babe, arriving in Salt Lake City July 11, 1889. Shortly after his arrival in Utah he obtained work in the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory, and later in the wrapping desk of that institution. On Feb. 1st, 1890, he entered the office of the Presiding Bishopric as a general office helper, under the direction of Robert S. Campbell, then the chief clerk of that office. When Elder Campbell resigned this position, in the spring of 1898, John Wells was given charge as chief clerk. Since that time many changes have taken place in the method of handling and accounting for the tithes. The old system of central tithing offices, with a Bishop's agent in each of the leading Stakes of the Church was discontinued and the duty of receiving, handling and accounting for the tithes was transferred to the Bishops of the Wards, supervised and directed by the Presiding Bishopric. New methods of handling the tithes were inaugurated, and the tithing system practically placed on a cash basis. New systems of Ward, Stake and Mission books and records were put into operation. These systematic and progressive measures have gradually developed and are now operated in the Stakes, Ward and Missions. In all this rearranging of systems. Elder Wells was the leading spirit. For several years Elder Wells presided over the First Quorum of Elders in the Ensign Stake of Zion, and took an active part in the work of the 18th Ward. For ten years he was connected with Dr. W. H. Groves' Latter-day Saints Hospital, supervising its construction from the first stone which was laid June 28, 1903. until the building was opened Jan. 5. 1905. Thereafter he acted as superintendent of the hospital until August, 1913, when his many other duties became too heavy to continue the supervision of the hospital. In 1913 he was ordained a High Priest. In 1914 he became a member of the High Council of the Ensign Stake of Zion. On November 17, 1916, he was chosen as second counselor to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake and set apart to that office under the hands of President Charles W. Penrose, in which position he acted until July 18, 1918, when he was ordained a Bishop by President Joseph F. Smith and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley. Bishop Wells has been a faithful member of the Church since he joined it, a worker of almost unequalled energy and persistence, reliable, trustworthy and faithful to all the responsibilities his brethren have imposed upon him. Bishop Wells is also a member of the committee on courses of study for the Priesthood. He is the father of seven children by his wife, Almena Thorpe, namely, Mabel T. (now Mrs. D. W. James, Jr.), Bertha T. (later Mrs. A. M. Palmer, now deceased), Florence T. (now Mrs. Hooper Knowlton), Arthur Thorpe (deceased), Clarice Thorpe, John Thorpe and Lewis Thorpe.
WELLS, John, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, was born Sept. 16, 1864, in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of Thomas Potter Wells and Sarah Cook. He was reared in Nottingham and there he became a companion and playmate of Elder Arthur W. Winter, who was instrumental in his conversion to the gospel. In August, 1882, he was baptized at Nottingham, England, and subsequently ordained to the Lesser Priesthood, commencing his active duties in the Church within a few days after his baptism. In 1885 he was appointed president of the Nottingham branch, in which calling he labored diligently until his emigration to Zion. He left England with his wife, Almena Thorpe (whom he married in 1886), and a babe, arriving in Salt Lake City July 11, 1889. Shortly after his arrival in Utah he obtained work in the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory, and later in the wrapping desk of that institution. On Feb. 1st, 1890, he entered the office of the Presiding Bishopric as a general office helper, under the direction of Robert S. Campbell, then the chief clerk of that office. When Elder Campbell resigned this position, in the spring of 1898, John Wells was given charge as chief clerk. Since that time many changes have taken place in the method of handling and accounting for the tithes. The old system of central tithing offices, with a Bishop's agent in each of the leading Stakes of the Church was discontinued and the duty of receiving, handling and accounting for the tithes was transferred to the Bishops of the Wards, supervised and directed by the Presiding Bishopric. New methods of handling the tithes were inaugurated, and the tithing system practically placed on a cash basis. New systems of Ward, Stake and Mission books and records were put into operation. These systematic and progressive measures have gradually developed and are now operated in the Stakes, Ward and Missions. In all this rearranging of systems. Elder Wells was the leading spirit. For several years Elder Wells presided over the First Quorum of Elders in the Ensign Stake of Zion, and took an active part in the work of the 18th Ward. For ten years he was connected with Dr. W. H. Groves' Latter-day Saints Hospital, supervising its construction from the first stone which was laid June 28, 1903. until the building was opened Jan. 5. 1905. Thereafter he acted as superintendent of the hospital until August, 1913, when his many other duties became too heavy to continue the supervision of the hospital. In 1913 he was ordained a High Priest. In 1914 he became a member of the High Council of the Ensign Stake of Zion. On November 17, 1916, he was chosen as second counselor to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake and set apart to that office under the hands of President Charles W. Penrose, in which position he acted until July 18, 1918, when he was ordained a Bishop by President Joseph F. Smith and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley. Bishop Wells has been a faithful member of the Church since he joined it, a worker of almost unequalled energy and persistence, reliable, trustworthy and faithful to all the responsibilities his brethren have imposed upon him. Bishop Wells is also a member of the committee on courses of study for the Priesthood. He is the father of seven children by his wife, Almena Thorpe, namely, Mabel T. (now Mrs. D. W. James, Jr.), Bertha T. (later Mrs. A. M. Palmer, now deceased), Florence T. (now Mrs. Hooper Knowlton), Arthur Thorpe (deceased), Clarice Thorpe, John Thorpe and Lewis Thorpe.
"Bishop John Wells." Improvement Era. September 1918. pg. 937-938.
Bishop John Wells The choice of Elder John Wells as second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric by the Presidency of the Church and the Twelve, on July 18, places a worthy and competent man in a very important position which, from his long experience and faithfulness in Church work, is richly deserved. He was ordained a bishop and set apart as second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric by President Joseph F. Smith. Elder John Wells was born in Carlton, Nottingham, England, September 16, 1864. He was a boyhood companion and playmate of Elder Arthur Winter, for many years a faithful worker in the office of the First Presidency.. In fact, it was Elder Winter who was instrumental in converting him to the gospel, in England. Elder Wells while yet in England married Almena Thorpe, at Nottingham, and with his wife and babe, came to Utah, arriving here in July, 1889. After their arrival in Utah, their first desire was to be married in the House of the Lord; they received the ordinances and were married for time and eternity, by President Daniel H. Wells, at Manti. He obtained work at the Z. C. M. I. Shoe factory and later at the wrapping desk of that great mercantile institution. It was on the first of February, 1890, that he entered the Presiding Bishop's Office as an all-round helper, under the direction of Elder R. S. Campbell, then the chief clerk of the office. Elder Campbell having resigned the position, Elder Wells was given charge as chief clerk, in the spring of 1898. This was the year in which many radical changes took place in the methods of handling the tithes. Instead of central tithing offices with a bishop's agent in the leading stakes of the Church, the bishops of the wards were given complete control of the handling of the tithing, being supervised directly by the Presiding Bishopric. New methods of disposing of the tithing in the various wards, and placing the whole system on a cash basis was introduced, and other improvements made in the handling of the tithings of the Church. New systems were also introduced in the method of keeping the records in the Presiding Bishop's office, the systematic and progressive scheme being set in motion which has gradually grown to the perfect system now in vogue. In all this work Elder Wells has been a leading spirit. For ten years Elder Wells was connected with Dr. W. H. Groves Latter-day Saints Hospital, being superintendent of construction from the time the first stone was laid, June 28, 1903, until the building was opened, January 13, 1905. He was thereafter superintendent for eight years, until August, 1913, when his other duties became too heavy for him to carry both. In 1913 he was ordained a High Priest. Prior to that time he had successfully presided over the first quorum of elders of the Ensign stake for several years, and taken active part in ward work. He was chosen second counselor to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign stake, November, 1916, in which position he still acts. He has also been a member of the committee on Priesthood study from its organization. A faithful member of the Church, a worker of almost unequaled energy and persistence, reliable, exact, trustworthy, and faithful in all the responsibilities and duties that have been placed upon him, he is specially worthy and qualified for his present great trust. |
BISHOP JOHN WELLS
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric |
Knight, John M. "Bishop John Wells." Young Woman's Journal. September 1918. pg. 490-492.
Bishop John Wells.
By John M. Knight
Elder John Wells, recently ordained a Bishop and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop C. W. Nibley, by President Joseph F. Smith, was born in Carlton, Nottingham, England, Sept. 16, 1864. From early boyhood he was a student of the Bible and was brought up in the Church of England. For some time he was a member of a boys’ choir in one of the churches of his home town. When Elder Wells was about sixteen years of age, and while working in the lace business, for which Nottingham is noted, he first heard of “Mormonism.” Elder Arthur Winter, for many years connected with the office force of the First Presidency, was an employee of the same establishment where Brother John labored. Elder Winter had received the Gospel and was anxious that all his fellow-laborers might know the truth. A few accepted his testimony and John Wells was one of them. His was no sudden conversion; having an analytical mind, he studied the Gospel from all angles; finally he became converted to the truth and was baptized in 1882. He soon demonstrated that he possessed some of the high qualities—manly stamina, the inflexible determination to win that have stood out prominently in later life. He became a very useful member of the Nottingham Branch, and before long was made one of the Presidency of the Branch, doing much missionary work in his native town and surrounding country.
With his wife and child, he emigrated to Zion in 1889. Until February, 1890, he was employed at the Z. C. M. I., when he accepted a position with the Presiding Bishop’s Office, where his career is pretty well known. It was work that he had not been accustomed to, but his ability soon demonstrated itself, and he readily grasped the business and became an expert in his line. At that time Brother Robert S. Campbell was the chief clerk of that office and later, when he became the manager of the Utah Power & Light Company, Brother John Wells was his logical successor, and from that time until his recent appointment was the chief clerk of the Presiding Bishop’s Office. An employee for twenty-eight years, chief clerk for twenty-one years, he has been the subject of severe and ofttimes unjust criticisms, but envy herself will, I think, admit that he has qualities which leave large room for honest praise. To Brother John Wells, more than to any other person, belongs the credit for the splendid system now in vogue in the Presiding Bishop’s Office, he is really the father of it. Since coining to this country, Elder Wells has always been an active Church worker, filling many positions of responsibility in the wards where he has resided. For many years he was president of the First Quorum of Elders, in Ensign stake, one of the superintendents of the Eighteenth Ward Sunday School, High Counselor in the Ensign Stake of Zion, and since November, 1916, he has been a member of the Stake Presidency and also a member of the committee on Priesthood study.
For ten years he was prominently connected with the Dr. W. H. Groves L. D. S. Hospital as superintendent of construction, and for about eight years as superintendent of the institution. No matter in what capacity he labored, he aimed at nothing short of the highest efficiency. Never has he chosen the path of indolence, selfish pleasure, idle gossip, and vulgar tales, but by genius, patience, unextinguishable resolve, he has surmounted all obstacles and risen to an enviable position in the Church of Christ.
Bishop John Wells.
By John M. Knight
Elder John Wells, recently ordained a Bishop and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop C. W. Nibley, by President Joseph F. Smith, was born in Carlton, Nottingham, England, Sept. 16, 1864. From early boyhood he was a student of the Bible and was brought up in the Church of England. For some time he was a member of a boys’ choir in one of the churches of his home town. When Elder Wells was about sixteen years of age, and while working in the lace business, for which Nottingham is noted, he first heard of “Mormonism.” Elder Arthur Winter, for many years connected with the office force of the First Presidency, was an employee of the same establishment where Brother John labored. Elder Winter had received the Gospel and was anxious that all his fellow-laborers might know the truth. A few accepted his testimony and John Wells was one of them. His was no sudden conversion; having an analytical mind, he studied the Gospel from all angles; finally he became converted to the truth and was baptized in 1882. He soon demonstrated that he possessed some of the high qualities—manly stamina, the inflexible determination to win that have stood out prominently in later life. He became a very useful member of the Nottingham Branch, and before long was made one of the Presidency of the Branch, doing much missionary work in his native town and surrounding country.
With his wife and child, he emigrated to Zion in 1889. Until February, 1890, he was employed at the Z. C. M. I., when he accepted a position with the Presiding Bishop’s Office, where his career is pretty well known. It was work that he had not been accustomed to, but his ability soon demonstrated itself, and he readily grasped the business and became an expert in his line. At that time Brother Robert S. Campbell was the chief clerk of that office and later, when he became the manager of the Utah Power & Light Company, Brother John Wells was his logical successor, and from that time until his recent appointment was the chief clerk of the Presiding Bishop’s Office. An employee for twenty-eight years, chief clerk for twenty-one years, he has been the subject of severe and ofttimes unjust criticisms, but envy herself will, I think, admit that he has qualities which leave large room for honest praise. To Brother John Wells, more than to any other person, belongs the credit for the splendid system now in vogue in the Presiding Bishop’s Office, he is really the father of it. Since coining to this country, Elder Wells has always been an active Church worker, filling many positions of responsibility in the wards where he has resided. For many years he was president of the First Quorum of Elders, in Ensign stake, one of the superintendents of the Eighteenth Ward Sunday School, High Counselor in the Ensign Stake of Zion, and since November, 1916, he has been a member of the Stake Presidency and also a member of the committee on Priesthood study.
For ten years he was prominently connected with the Dr. W. H. Groves L. D. S. Hospital as superintendent of construction, and for about eight years as superintendent of the institution. No matter in what capacity he labored, he aimed at nothing short of the highest efficiency. Never has he chosen the path of indolence, selfish pleasure, idle gossip, and vulgar tales, but by genius, patience, unextinguishable resolve, he has surmounted all obstacles and risen to an enviable position in the Church of Christ.
Evans, Richard L. "The Passing of John Wells." Improvement Era. June 1941. pg. 332.
The Passing of JOHN WELLS Formerly SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC. By RICHARD L EVANS of the First Council of the Seventy The death of Bishop John Wells has taken from the rolls of life another man who gave his years and his talents to service in the Church and kingdom of God. His passing came April 18, 1941, in the seventy-seventh year of his life. He served as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric for twenty years, from 1918 to 1938, under the late Charles W. Nibley, and more recently under the administration of Elder Sylvester Q. Cannon. John Wells was born September 16, 1864, in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England, a son of Thomas Potter and Sarah Cook Wells. Reared in Nottingham, he became a playmate of the late Arthur W. Winter who was instrumental in his conversion to the Latter-day Saint faith. The remarkable story of the life-long association of these two men was told by Brother Wells only a few months ago at the funeral services of Arthur Winter, who only shortly preceded him in death. In August, 1882, Bishop Wells was baptized into the Church at Nottingham and began his active duties with the Church within a few days of his baptism, from which time he gave the greatest share of his life to the Gospel. Soon after baptism he was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, and, in 1885, his leadership became apparent in his appointment as president of the Nottingham Branch. He faithfully fulfilled these duties until he sailed for America in 1889 with his young wife, Almena Thorpe Wells, and an infant child, arriving in Salt Lake on July 11 of that year. He obtained work at the Z. C. M. I. shoe factory, and later at the wrapping desk of that institution. Later in 1890, the young immigrant entered the office of the Presiding Bishopric as a general office helper. He became chief clerk in the spring of 1898, filling that position until July 18, 1918, when he was ordained a bishop by President Joseph F. Smith and set apart as second counselor to Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley. During his time many changes took place in the method of handling and accounting for the tithes. The old system of central tithing offices, with a bishop's agent in the stakes of the Church was discontinued and the duty of receiving, handling and accounting for the tithes was transferred to the bishops of the wards, supervised and directed by the Presiding Bishopric. The tithing system was placed virtually on a cash basis. New systems of ward, stake, and mission books and records were put into operation. In these progressive measures and others the ideas and efforts of John Wells were a strong contributing factor. Bishop Wells was placed in charge of the construction of the L. D. S. Hospital. He supervised this work from the beginning, June 28, 1903, until the hospital was opened in January, 1905. He was superintendent of the hospital until August 1913, and remained a trustee of that institution until 1938. Prior to his ordination as a bishop, he was selected second counselor to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake in 1916, previously serving as a member of the stake high council from 1914. Before this, for a number of years Elder Wells presided over the First Quorum of Elders of the Ensign Stake and held various offices in the Eighteenth Ward. John Wells married Almena Thorpe in 1886. She died in 1929. On March 2, 1931, he married Margaret Ann Newman, who survives him. Sister Wells is a member of the Y. W. M. I. A. General Board. Surviving him also are three daughters, Mrs. Mable W. James, Mrs. Florence W. Knowlton and Mrs. Clarice W. Crook of Salt Lake; two sons, Lewis T. Wells of Salt Lake and Dr. John T. Wells of San Diego, California. There also are nine grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted under the direction of Bishop Rulon J. Sperry of the Wasatch Ward on Sunday, April 20, where tributes to the long service and devoted usefulness of Bishop John Wells were spoken by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Elder Charles A. Callis of the Council of the Twelve, and by Brother Joseph Eckersley, for many years associated with Brother Wells in the Presiding Bishop's office. On this occasion President Clark said of him: Reference has already been made to his great work in organizing the accounts of the Presiding Bishop's Office—and it was a great work. ... If you merely indicated you would like something done, he attended to it immediately. Bishop Wells, like Brother Winter—and I associate them together because they were so closely associated in life—could express his views and did express his views, as to the wisdom or propriety of a certain proposed action, but when those in authority over him said, "No, we will do it this way," he would fall in and always carry through, and this is one of the rarest of virtues. Too frequently we give lip service to those who are over us. We say, "Aye, aye" with our mouths and mean, "No, no" in our hearts, and we go forward with the desire that the thing they are trying to do, and we do not approve of, shall fail. Not so with Bishop Wells. Brother Wells gave his whole heart and soul to anything which the brethren asked him to do. So I am glad to be here to speak this of Bishop Wells as I knew him and as I know that President Grant knew him and President McKay also, and as I am sure his Presiding Bishop, Bishop Cannon, knew him. Bishop Wells was faithful to his covenants and trust from the time he joined the Church, He was a worker of energy and persistence, reliable, trustworthy, and faithful to every responsibility imposed upon him by his leaders. With his passing, he, and all who cherish him, have assurance that the promises to the faithful will be his. |
BISHOP JOHN WELLS
|
"John Wells." Improvement Era. June 1941. pg. 352.
John Wells
Useful, loyal, and dependable was John Wells, long a member of the Presiding Bishopric. The Church gained much from his labors. Exact and orderly, yet human and understanding, he gave life to dull routine and necessary toil. The creative gift was his. Behind his every act was the unwavering faith that he was in the service of the Lord. He felt himself but an instrument in the divine hand; and it was his concern to keep himself shining bright for the Lord's use.
His heart was tender. He was generous to the widow and the fatherless. Those in distress found easy access to his sympathies. "Poor souls," he would say, "we must help them." He knew conditions in foreign lands and was eagerly helpful to those who had gone down to the sea and sailed across the ocean for the Gospel's sake. He had the spirit of the true bishop. Many loved him.
Bishop John Wells was a splendid representative of the great body of converts from foreign lands, who have been of inestimable service in the Lord's Latter-day cause. Without him and the many like him, remnants of the house of Israel, the Church would be poor indeed.
Above all, he loved the Gospel. It was the joy of his life. "Wherever I touch it," he said one day, "I feel its glory." John Wells was of the salt of the earth. He gave savor to life.—J. A. W.
John Wells
Useful, loyal, and dependable was John Wells, long a member of the Presiding Bishopric. The Church gained much from his labors. Exact and orderly, yet human and understanding, he gave life to dull routine and necessary toil. The creative gift was his. Behind his every act was the unwavering faith that he was in the service of the Lord. He felt himself but an instrument in the divine hand; and it was his concern to keep himself shining bright for the Lord's use.
His heart was tender. He was generous to the widow and the fatherless. Those in distress found easy access to his sympathies. "Poor souls," he would say, "we must help them." He knew conditions in foreign lands and was eagerly helpful to those who had gone down to the sea and sailed across the ocean for the Gospel's sake. He had the spirit of the true bishop. Many loved him.
Bishop John Wells was a splendid representative of the great body of converts from foreign lands, who have been of inestimable service in the Lord's Latter-day cause. Without him and the many like him, remnants of the house of Israel, the Church would be poor indeed.
Above all, he loved the Gospel. It was the joy of his life. "Wherever I touch it," he said one day, "I feel its glory." John Wells was of the salt of the earth. He gave savor to life.—J. A. W.