PLEASANT WELLS, proprietor of the "Vineland Ranch," at the head of Rincon Valley, has been a resident of Sonoma County since 1867, and it is no disparagement to others to say that no man in the county has done more to illustrate its possibilities in growing a wine grape not excelled, if equalled, by the product of any county in this favored land. His life in Sonoma County is the history Vineland Ranch. From small beginnings great results have been accomplished. The ranch, in view of the quality of its product, is considered the finest in Sonoma County, though not the largest; it has 158 acres in bearing, and fifty acres will be added in the near future. A visitor to the ranch, after passing northward on a road skirting Rincon Heights, through the beautiful Rincon Valley, will find his road turning abruptly to the left, when ascending the hills nearly to their crown a scene is revealed of great beauty, which, if unprepared, surprises him. At the threshold of the estate he will find the modest cottage home of Mr. Wells and his family, well, shaded and surrounded, by grounds of great natural beauty: To the westward and south the vineyard stretches, now climbing elevations and again sinking from view only to appear again. In its spread over hill and vale it presents to the lover of the beautiful in nature, adorned by the art of man, a most pleasing picture, and one not easy to forget. From many a point landscape views equal to many that have been immortalized on canvas could be obtained. Having said this much of Mr. Wells' present interests, it is well that a review of his past life should be given. We give briefly the following facts: he was born in Grayson County, Kentucky, son of Samuel D. and Matilda (Brunk) Wells, February 14, 1834. In 1846, he then being twelve years of age, the family removed to Davis County, Iowa, a county then passing through the first stages of its pioneer history: there a life of industry, spent in farm labor, was his until the spring of 1853, when leaving the old home where his parents still live, Mr. Wells, filled with the spirit of adventure and a courage not common to a youth of nineteen years, joined a party of emigrants and made the overland trip to this State, reaching Placerville August 1 of that year. Of his life the next fourteen years we have not the space to speak in detail. Suuffice it to say it was spent in hard, laborious toil, in the mining districts, principally in Nevada County. The fleeting goddess of wealth, though often thought to be in sight, proved on close contact to be only a phantom; finally the pursuit was abandoned, and Mr. Wells, as stated, came this county in 1867, not only poor in all but that which always makes a man rich, spirit, energy and determination to succeed, -- but $500 in debt. Soon afterward he began the development of his present magnificent property. At first he was obliged to earn his bread at other employment. Some years passed before he could establish and maintain his home upon the property. The building up of the vineyard was a slow, steady growth; the oldest portions are twenty years of age, the youngest five years, but never looking backward the result has been satisfactory and remunerative. The peculiarly good quality of one product of his vineyard owing to its elevation and soil consituents, has enabled Mr. Wells to command a price fully fifty percent in advance of the average. April 14, 1867, Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Miss Maria Ann Bish, a native of Ohio, but reared in Davis County, Iowa. Their five children, Olive, May, Edward, Howard and Ida, are all as yet under the parental roof, except May, who is the wife of Charles Norris, and resides in Rincon Valley. In political action, Mr. Wells, since the first election of Abraham Lincoln, has been a Republican, and firm in upholding the principles of that party. Believing that knowledge is power, and that education is the one thing that no adversity can rob his children of, he has been much interested in promoting efficiency in our public schools, and many years served "Wallace" school district as trustee.