South End in Burlington in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

General William Wells / Dr. H. Nelson Jackson

(1837-1892) / (1872-1955)

General William Wells Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 19, 2014

1. General William Wells Marker

(Dr. H. Nelson Jackson inscription on opposite side)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

General William Wells
(1837-1892)
In 1861 William Wells joined the First Vermont Cavalry as a Private and rose to the rank of Brevet Major-General. Promoted more times than any other Vermonter during the American Civil War, he participated in over 70 cavalry battles and skirmishes. For “conspicuous gallantry” at Gettysburg, Wells was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This French Second Empire mansion was built for General Wells in 1877 by A. B. Fisher from a drawing in G. B. Croft’s “Progressive American Architecture. After the Civil War, Wells was prominent in politics and business and was a partner in Wells, Richardson & Co. of Burlington, makers of Paine's Celery Compound. He married and had two children. Daughter Bertha married Dr. H. N. Jackson.
See other side of Marker

Dr. H. Nelson Jackson
(1872-1955)
Inspired by a bet Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, son-in-law of General William Wells and a University of Vermont medical alumnus, Sewall K. Crocker, and "Bud" the dog set out in May of 1903 from San Francisco for New York City. In a Winton

Dr. H. Nelson Jackson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 19, 2014

2. Dr. H. Nelson Jackson Marker

(General William Wells inscription on opposite side)

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car, christened "The Vermont," the trio completed their journey in two months and nine days. They are credited with making the first cross-country trip in a motor car. Jackson became a successful businessman upon returning to Burlington: bank president, newspaper publisher, and owner of the first radio station in town. Despite his age he joined the army in WWI, earning the Distinguished Service Cross, and was one of the founders of the American Legion. He died at 82.
See other side of Marker

Erected 2005 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1903.

Location. 44° 28.544′ N, 73° 12.321′ W. Marker is in Burlington, Vermont, in Chittenden County. It is in South End. Marker is at the intersection of South Willard Street (U.S. 7) and Main Street (U.S. 2), on the right when traveling north on South Willard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 158 South Willard Street, Burlington VT 05401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Dewey (within shouting distance of this marker); Grace Goodhue Coolidge (about

Wideview of General William Wells Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 19, 2014

3. Wideview of General William Wells Marker

700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel de Champlain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Harris 1814-1841 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Exchange Block (approx. 0.3 miles away); Church Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Church Street Marketplace (approx. 0.4 miles away); Howard Bank Building (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burlington.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia - General William Wells. (Submitted on July 22, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
2. Wikipedia - Horatio Nelson Jackson. (Submitted on July 22, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)

French Second Empire mansion built for General Wells in 1877 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, September 14, 2015

4. French Second Empire mansion built for General Wells in 1877

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 850 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 4. submitted on September 27, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.