Daniel Wells Jr.
Daniel Wells Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Durkee |
| Succeeded by | John F. Potter |
| Member of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory for Milwaukee & Washington counties | |
| In office November 5, 1838 – November 2, 1840 Serving with William A. Prentiss | |
| Preceded by | Alanson Sweet & Gilbert Knapp |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan E. Arnold & Don A. J. Upham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 16, 1808 |
| Died | March 18, 1902 (aged 93) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee |
| Party |
|
| Spouse |
Marcia Bryant
(m. 1831; died 1883) |
| Children |
|
| Signature | |
Daniel Wells Jr. (July 16, 1808 – March 18, 1902) was an American railroad businessman, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was a major contributor to the early economic development of the city of Milwaukee, and was the wealthiest man in Wisconsin at the time of his death in 1902; he is the namesake of the Wells Building and Wells Street in Milwaukee.
He served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1853–1857), representing southeast Wisconsin. Later, he was a director of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and president of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the Southern Minnesota Railroad, and the St. Paul & Minnesota Valley Railroad. Before Wisconsin's statehood, he served two years on the Council of the Wisconsin Territory (upper legislative chamber; 1838–1840).
Biography
Born in West Waterville, Massachusetts (now Oakland, Maine), Wells attended the public schools and became a teacher. Wells engaged in the mercantile business at Palmyra, Maine. He then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1838 and engaged in banking and lumbering pursuits. He was appointed probate judge of Milwaukee in 1838. He served as member of the Wisconsin Territorial Council 1838-1840.
Wells was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857). He represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State (Thirty-third Congress). Wells was not a candidate for renomination in 1856.
He engaged in the development of railroads serving as: a director of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1865 and 1866 and president of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the Southern Minnesota Railroad, and the St. Paul & Minnesota Valley Railroad. Wells died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 18, 1902 and was interred in Forest Home Cemetery.
References
- United States Congress. "Daniel Wells Jr. (id: W000281)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.