Erastus Wells
Erastus Wells (December 2, 1823 – October 2, 1893) was a 19th-century politician and businessman from Missouri. Wells was born in Jefferson County, New York, and was the only son of Otis Wells, a descendant of Hugh Welles, an early colonist of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Otis Wells was a farmer and died when Erastus was only fourteen. Erastus was the grandson of Ethelinda Otis and a relation of John Otis, who helped found the town of Hingham, Massachusetts in 1635. Other notable relatives include James Otis, a successful lawyer, Harrison Gray Otis, a statesman and orator, Samuel A. Otis, one of the framers of the constitution of Massachusetts, and George Otis, a clergyman and author.
Erastus Wells | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri | |
| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | William A. Pile |
| Succeeded by | Nathan Cole |
| Constituency | 1st district (1869–73) 2nd district (1873–77) |
| In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | Nathan Cole |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Allen |
| Constituency | 2nd district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 2, 1823 Sackets Harbor, New York, US |
| Died | October 2, 1893 (aged 69) St. Louis, Missouri, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Isabella Bowman Henry Wells |
| Profession | Politician, Businessman |
Wells married Isabella Bowman Henry, daughter of Captain John Henry of Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1850. Isabella and Erastus Wells were the parents of three children, including former St. Louis Mayor Rolla Wells. Wells' first wife died in 1877 and he was later remarried to Eleanor P. Bell of St. Louis in 1879.