The Mercer County, Illinois Cemetery Index contains the following listing: "Arthur C. Sells, M.D., 1871-1936; Harriett C. Sells, 1869-1960." (See Celle Newsletter #121, page 9; and Celle Breaking News (website article) of November 2001.)
Robert A. "Bob" Griffin writes (email Nov. 2002) that "Arthur Claud Sells, of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois was the son of Eulid and Frances Cunningham Sells and was married to my great aunt Harriet Cabeen. He had two sisters: Florence (Mrs. George) Davis of Barry, Illinois; and Mrs. George Barnes of New York, New York. He was a surrogate father to my father."
The Book "Past and Present of Mercer County" Illinois, by S.J. Clarke, published in 1914 in Chicago, Illinois, contains the following biographical sketch:
"Authur C. Sells M.D. For almost two decades Dr. Arthur C. Sells has practiced his profession in Mercer County and for about thirteen years he has been one of the prominent physicians of Aledo. His birth occurred in Adams County, Illinois near Quincy, on the 9th of April, 1871. His father, Eliud Sells, was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a son of Peter Sells, who was a businessman of that city. Eliud Sells was reared in Columbus and was there married to Frances Cunningham. He later made his way to the west and became one of the early settlers of Adams County, Illinois, where he successfully carried on farming for a number of years. His memory is entitled to veneration as he was one of those loyal men who risked their lives on southern battlefields in defense of national unity. His last years were spent in Quincy and there his demise occurred. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away in 1911.
Dr. Sells is thoroughly acquainted with conditions in the rural districts of Illinois as his boyhood was passed on the home farm in Adams County. His elementary education was received in the district schools and his secondary education in the local high school. As he had decided to make the practice of medicine his life work he attended the Keokuk Medical College and was graduated there from the class of 1892. Upon the completion of his medical course Dr. Sells located at Seaton, Illinois, where he began the active practice of his profession. He remained there for nine yars and then, desiring a wider field, he removed to Aledo, where he has since remained.
During the past thirteen years he has gained a reputation as an up-to-date and conscientious physician and his fine practice is but an expression of the confidence with which he is regarded by the people of the community. Dr. Sells recognizes that constant study is necessary if one would keep abreast with the discoveries which investigators are making continually in the field of medical practice and has therefore taken three post-graduate courses in Chicago, thus aquainting himself with the latest developments in his profession. He is a member of the Mercer County and of the Illinois State Medical Societies and of the American Medical Association and finds these organizations of incalculable value to himself. In accordance with the trend of the age Dr. Sells has sought success in specialization and is favorably known for his skill in treating disease of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has dealt to some extent in real estate, having bought and sold several farms in Mercer County. He is the owner of a comfortable home on South College Avenue, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank.
Dr. Sells was united in marriage in Seaton on the 10th of September, 1894, to Miss Harriet Cabeen, a daughter of Hon. Robert Cabeen, who was numbered among the early settlers of Mercer County, and was for one term a member of the state legislature. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Aledo blue lodge. He conforms his life to the high moral standards held by the Masonic craft, and he is held in high esteem by those who know him."
There is an 1880 Census record in Payson, Adams Co., Illinois for:
"Elind Sells, age 45, born Ohio, laborer, both parents born KY
Francis Sells, wife, age 38, born Ill., both parents born NJ
Adrien Sells, daughter, age 16, born Ill.
Adilade Sells, daughter, age 13, born Ill.
Florence Sells, daughter, age 11, born Ill.
Orrel Sells, son, age 9, born Ill.
Myrtle Selles, daughter, age 6, born Ill.
Anna Selles, daughter, age 6 months, born Ill."
In 1900 there is an "Elind Sells, born June 1834, Ohio" living in the Soldiers and Sailors Home at Riverside, Adams Co., Illinois.
Conclusions and Questions
Thus we conclude that the 9-year-old son listed as "Orrel" on this 1880 Census must be Arthur Claud Sells. The 11-year-old Florence Sells must be the sister who married George Davis of Barry, Illinois. Which sister married George Barnes of New York City?
Our Franklin County, Ohio records show that Eulid or Elind Sells, born June 1834/35 in Franklin County, Ohio was actually a son of Elias (spelled Eliud or Elliott in some records) Sells, 1796-1849, and Mary "Polly" Sells, b.a.1797, PA; grandson of John Sells, 1774-1841, and Elizabeth Stroup; and a great grandson of Ludwick Sell(s), a.1747/51-1823, and Catherine Deardorff.
This would make Elind/Eulid Sells, 1834/35-a..1900/10, a cousin of the "Peter Sells businessman" of Columbus, Ohio. Here we cannot be sure if the biographer is referring to the Peter Sells, 1845-1904, of the Sells Brother's Circus fame; or to his father, known as Peter Sells Sr., 1809-1884, who was also a businessman in Franklin County, Ohio. Neither of these Peter Sells' had a son named Elind or Eulid, so Arthur Sells was certainly NOT a grandson or either of them. I wonder how many more "children" these Peter Sells' are attributed with in other history books!!
In any case, we now know the identity of this Authur Claud Sells of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois; and his correct ancestry.
Please update your records of Part 9 of our Celle Family Book; Celle CD #2, History Volume 1, Family #60, page 211.
Please email me at :
Choppin.Carolyn@usa.net
