Horatio Wells
Horatio Nelson Wells (November 4, 1808 – August 8, 1858) was an American lawyer, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 2nd mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the 2nd attorney general of the Wisconsin Territory. He also served as the last president of the Council (upper legislative house) of the Wisconsin Territory (during the 5th Wisconsin Territorial Assembly).
The Honorable Horatio Wells | |
|---|---|
| County Judge of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin | |
| In office January 7, 1850 – January 2, 1854 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Charles E. Jenkins |
| 2nd Mayor of Milwaukee | |
| In office April 1847 – April 1848 | |
| Preceded by | Solomon Juneau |
| Succeeded by | Byron Kilbourn |
| President of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory | |
| In office January 4, 1847 – May 29, 1848 | |
| Preceded by | Nelson Dewey |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| 2nd Attorney General of the Wisconsin Territory | |
| In office December 1839 – December 1841 | |
| Governor | Henry Dodge |
| Preceded by | Henry S. Baird |
| Succeeded by | Mortimer M. Jackson |
| Member of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory from Milwaukee County | |
| In office January 4, 1847 – May 29, 1848 | |
| Preceded by | James Kneeland, Jacob H. Kimball, and Curtis Reed (Milwaukee & Washington) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 4, 1808 Hinesburg, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | August 8, 1858 (aged 49) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Augusta Vail (m. 1842–1858) |
Biography
Wells was born in Hinesburg, Vermont, and studied law in Burlington, Vermont.[1] After practicing law in the East for several years, he moved to the Wisconsin Territory in 1836. In Milwaukee, he entered a legal partnership with Hans Crocker called Wells & Crocker.[1][2]
As a lawyer, Wells was prolific in the first ten years of his career. According to Berryman's History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, his success as an advocate was mostly due to his wit, his intuitive knowledge of human nature, and a vast array of useful anecdotes.[2]
Wells was served as a member of the lower house of the Legislative Assembly of the Wisconsin Territory from 1839 to 1840, as Attorney General for the Territory of Wisconsin from 1839 to 1841.[3]
After a short break from elected office, Wells served as a member of the upper house of the Legislative Assembly from 1847 to 1848, where he was also selected as president of the council. Wells also served a short stint as mayor of Milwaukee from 1847 to 1848.
In the 2nd Wisconsin Legislature new county-level courts were established, and, in the first election for Milwaukee County judge, Wells was elected to a four-year term, serving from 1850 to 1854.[1][2]
Wells also ran the Milwaukee Sentinel for a short time in 1841.[1]
Personal life
Wells was known to be an alcoholic and his alcoholism factored significantly in accounts of his decline and death.[2][4][5]
References
- "Wells, Horatio Nelson 1808 - 1858". Wisconsin Historical Society. 8 August 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
- Berryman, John R. (1898). History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin. Vol. 2. Chicago: H. C. Cooper, Jr. pp. 44–45. Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Heg, J. E., ed. (1882). "Annals of the Legislature" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 172–174. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- "Decease of Judge H. N. Wells". Wisconsin State Journal. August 21, 1858. p. 3. Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Hon. Horatio N. Wells". The Burlington Sentinel. September 3, 1858. p. 2. Retrieved August 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
