Robert Wells

Robert W. Wells was born in Greene, Ohio, in 1918. His first job in journalism in his early 20's was as a copy reader for The Repository in Canton,Ohio, followed by stints at the Tribune-Chronicle and the Columbus Dispatch. In his mid 20's, he moved to Wisconsin, marrying Edith Jersin in 1945. They had four children.

In his lifetime career as a reporter he worked exclusively for the Milwaukee Journal from 1946 until his retirement. His writing reflects his work there in his competent, lively style. Wells was active in the Council for Wisconsin Writers and the Milwaukee Press Club.

Though he wrote a few children's books, he is best known for his books about Milwaukee and Wisconsin history. He writes humorously, often with tongue in cheek, about a host of colorful, eccentric characters and well-known events.

Fire at Peshtigo , which earned the Wisconsin Historical Society's award, is probably his best known work. He also received awards from the Council of Wisconsin Writers for Vince Lombardi and Daylight in the Swamp .

Robert Wells died in 1995.

Selected Bibliography

Fire at Peshtigo, Prentice-Hall,1968

This Is Milwaukee, Doubleday, 1970

Vince Lombardi: His Life and Times , Wisconsin House, 1971

Mean on Sunday: Autobiography of Ray Nitschke, Doubleday, 1973

Daylight in the Swamp: a Boisterous Account of Lumberjacks, Lynchings, Barroom Brawls, Madams and Timber, Doubleday, 1978.