Dr. Jacob A. Wells

                One of Paintsville’s leading young doctors is J A Wells. He was a native of Greasy Creek. After graduating from the common and high schools he entered the Louisville Medical College and graduated with high honors. He located in Paintsville later locating in Pike county where he enjoyed a large practice in the mining districts. 

Headed Golden Rule Hospital Staff

Was Widely Known Throughout Eastern Kentucky

    Dr. Jacob Allen Wells, 66, President and Chief Surgeon of the Golden Rule Hospital, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, W. Va., at 8:30 a. m. on Feb. 22. Dr. Wells, who had been seriously ill since February 16 with a heart ailment, was removed to the Huntington Hospital where his condition was thought to be improving until about two hours before his death.

    Born at Boons Camp on May 5, 1880, he was the son of William Allen and Mary Hicks Wells. He was graduated from the University of Louisville Medical School in 1911, and was married to Lillie Belle James of Louisville in the same year. Dr. Wells was well known throughout Eastern Kentucky. He served for many years as physician for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, and was mine physician at Betsy Layne for a number of years. In 1926 he returned to Paintsville as one of the founders and chief surgeons of the Golden Rule Hospital. His post graduate work was done in the Polyclinic Hospital in New York, N. Y. in 1926. Dr. Wells was a member of the Kentucky State and American Medical Association, the Gamma Delta Theta Medical Fraternity, and he was a past president of the Johnson County Medical Association. He was active in the local Kiwanis Club and was recently given the twenty-five-year service pin in Masonry. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Lillie B. Wells, one daughter, Mrs. Richard W. Watters, Panama City, Fla., two sons, James D. and Robert Allen, four grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters; Richard and Ed Wells, Pikeville, Gus and John L., city, Charles J., Williamsport, Mrs. Lizzie Walters, Chalet, W. Va.,and Mrs. Malissa Perry, Stone, Ky.

    Funeral services were conducted at 2 p. m. Monday, February 24, at the Mayo Memorial Church with Rev. C. D. Harsh officiating. Masons of Paintsville Lodge No. 881 F. & A. M. acted as pallbearers and conducted the final rites. Dr. Wells’ associates in the medical profession served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was in the Wells-Buckingham cemetery.