Extracted from The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, NC)
Friday, February 20, 1914

DEATH OF AGED PHYSICIAN

Dr. J. D. T. Wellons Passes Away at His House in Four Oaks in His 86th Year -- An Active Physician Fifty-Three Years

Four Oaks, Feb. 18 -- Dr. J. D. T. Wellons, one of the oldest and most distinguished citizens of this County, died here yesterday at 1:30 p.m., and was buried this afternoon with Masonic honors in the midst of a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends.

Dr. Wellons is survived by four sons, Messrs. Jas. A. and A. B. Wellons, of Smithfield; Robert Wellons, of Conway, S. C.; and Chas. H. Wellons, of Four Oaks; and by two daughters, Mrs. Robert E. Lee, of Falcon; and Miss Ozella Wellons, of Four Oaks, who has remained with her father in his declining years and cared for him with a loving devotion, tenderness, and patience which is seems impossible to excel. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. James Byrd, of Linden, N. C.

Dr. Wellons was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Blackman of Lower Johnston, and his second wife was Miss Sarah Smith, of Harnett County, the latter preceding him to the grave by eight years. He was born May 30, 1828, and was therefore nearly 86 years of age at the time of his death. His was a particularly useful life, he having spent 58 years in the active practice of medicine. Four years of his life as a physician were spent in the war between the States, he having gone through the entire war as surgeon in the 51st Regiment, Company K, in which passing he distinguished himself because of his professional ability and devotion to duty. While the end of this good man was not unexpected because of his advanced age, yet, it came as a shock to his family, and to his many friends throughout the County.