Indiana County Courthouse Histories

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Wells County
Named for: Captain William A. Wells
Organized: 1837
County Seat: Bluffton 1838
Number of Courthouses: 3

Number	Years	Type	Detail
1	1840-1845	Log	Builder: David or Kennedy Whitman - 18x24 2-story. $193.50.
2	1845-1888	Stylized	Builder: George W. Webster (Marion). Greek Revival 4-pillars. $5000.
3	1891-Present	Castle	Arch: George Bunting, $140,000. Builder: Christian Boseker, $119,879. Cornerstone 8/29/1889. Dedicated 3/2/1891.

Captain William Wells was captured by Indians in Kentucky as a boy, was adopted by Little Turtle, and married his daughter, Sweet Breeze. Wells fought with the Indians, and after Little Turtle was no longer a major war chief, with the Americans. He remained close to Little Turtle after he abandoned the Indian cause. Spy Run Avenue and Wells Street in Fort Wayne are both named as tributes to Wells. Wells was killed by Indians in the War of 1812 while attempting to rescue inhabitants of Fort Dearborn in Chicago.

The first circuit met at the house of R.C. Bennett, October 19, 1837.