This information from the book "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Jefferson County, Ohio pg 341-342
Bezaleel Wells, who, together with James Ross, a prominent lawyer and ex-congressman, of Pittsburgh, Penn. Formerly owned the land upon which the city of Steubenville is built, and who, together with Mr. Ross, laid out this city, was born in Baltimore county, MD., about the year 1769. He was the son of ALEXANDER WELLS who, in the year 1773, removed from Baltimore county to that part of Augusta county, VA., which has since been incorporated in Washington county, PA. The house he erected there was the only frame house in Washington county, when the strip of land was transferred;, and consequently, is the first frame residence erected within that county. He afterwards removed to WELLSBURG, WV where he died in 1813. By occupation he was a farmer and miller, and he also possessed a knowledge of civil engineering, having done much government surveying in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. His wife survived him one or two years, and died in Steubenville, at the home of her son Bezaleel,. The later did not accompany his father westward in 1773, but tarried at the home of an uncle in Baltimore county until he was thirteen years old. He then joined his parents in their western home and accompanied them to Wellsburg, which place was his home for many years. He was twice married, his first wife being Rebecca Reasteau, to whom he was married in Baltimore county, MD., and his second wife being Sarah Griffith, to whom he was married in Wellsburg, WV. He entered from the government the land upon which all that part of Steubenville is located south of North Street, and much other land adjacent thereto. In 1797, he, in connection with Mr. Ross, laid out the town, the first sale of lots being made on the 25th day of August. Mr. Wells removed from Wellsburg to Steubenville in 1800, and from that year until 1830 he occupied the old Stokely residence, near the river, which house he had erected. He afterwards resided on High street two years, and in 1832 removed to the old Wells homestead on the hill west of the city, where he spent the remainder of his life. He purchased considerable land adjoining Steubenville, and at one time owned 1,100 acres in one tract. Bezaleel Wells laid out the town of Canton, Ohio in 1804. It was he, who, in connection with William R. Dickinson, introduced the MERINO SHEEP west of the Allegheny mountains. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics was first a federalist, and later a whig. He was a member of the first constitutional convention of the state of Ohio in 1802. By his first wife he had two children, both of whom died in childhood. By his second wife be became the father of six sons and five daughters: Catharine W., Rebecca R., James R., Samuel O., Alexander , Bezaleel, Hezekiah G., Francis A., Ann C., Sarah G. and Mary of whom the only survivor is Francis A. Wells. The mother died in January 1839, and the father survived her until August 11, 1846. Francis A. Wells, above names, was born in the Stokely homestead, near Steubenville, September 4, 1813 and in that city his life has been spent with the exception of four years in Kalamazee, county, Mich. His occupation has been that of a wollen manufacturer and gardner. He was married May 20, 1840 to Jane C. Boggs, who bore to him five children: Sarah G., John B., Bezaleel, Agnes, and Franc C., of whom Bezaleel died, aged nine years. Mrs. Wells died March 31, 1882. He occupies the Wells homestead, where he is spending his declining years in quiet. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and in politics a republican.