The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1893-10-12
ERASTUS WELLS.
Death OF Unknown and Public Spirit
ed Citizen.

Deatn OF u WeIi-hnOWn ana SPIRIT
ed Citizen.
ST. LOUIS. Oct. 4.-Ex Congressman
Erastus Wells died Monday evening at
the family residence, Wellston, in the
western suburbs of the city, after a
long and painful illness, locornotor
ataxir being the direct cause assigned.
[Erastus Wells was born in jefferson coun-
ty, N Y, in 1898, and the story OF his life is
that OF q self-made man. His father died when
he was l2 years old and he worked on a neigh
boris farm for four years for the nominal
wages OF the times, He attended the district
school in tho winters At the age OF 10 he
went to work in Watertown store for eight
dollars per month. He next clerked in Lock-
port store. Atthe end of foIr years he had
accumulated slio With this sum he
reached st. Louis in September. 1913
He became acquainted with Calvin
Case, and together they built an omnibus the
first seen west OF the Mississippi river. 1t was
a rude affair, but II was the foundation OF the
great street.car system OF the St Louis OF to.
day In 1874 business had increased to an cx-
tent that warranted putting on another 'hus
Five years later fifteen buses were In service.
When the business became money maker Mr..
Wells sold IL out at O good price and cstab-
lished lead factory, but nearly lost his life
by lead poisoning, and was obliged to
retire from active business for n
year. In the latter part OF 1850, with his old
partner Case, he established an omnibus line
from ST. Louis to Bellevile, and a few months
later Wells stages ran out Olive street rs far
as Seventeenth street, the limit OF tho city's
growth.
THE FIRST STREET CAR IN ST. LOUIS.
In 1859 street cars were ntroduc ced in st.
Louis, succeeding the stages, and Erastus
Wells drove the first over the Missouri
line to the terminus, at Seventeenth street on
July T. 1850. That was the beginning OF the
Olive street line, one OF st. Louis greatest
properties to-day, Mr.. Wells was prcsidcn:
OF the company, and held controlling interest
until 1881, when he sold out to the present
owners. Mr. Wells was thr main spirit
and president OF the Marrow Gauge railroad to
Florissant, which is now part of the st. Louis
& Suburban. This Interest he also sold out In
1891. He was at one time a director In the Ohio
Mississippi railroad, was president of the
Accommodation bank, director and vico
president OF the Commercial b6nk and presi
dent OF the Laclede Gaslght Co. for many
years.
Az A PUBLIC SERVANT,
Mr.. Wells had long and prominent public
career For period OF fifteen years he was a
member OF the city council having been first
elected In ls4s resigning his seat March T., 1869,
to take his seat IN congress. While In the city
council he was instrumental in inauguratins
the present system OF Whter-Works,hnu ne Is the
accredited father OF the metropolitan police
system. He served rs n member OF congress
from the central St Louis district for four con.
secntive terms. retiring March 4, 1877.
In 1850 Mr. Wells married daughter OF Hon.
John Il. Henry, by whom he had three chil.
dren, two daughters md son, Rolll Wells,
the present president OF the st. Louis Agrioul.
tural Fair ASSOCIATION and Jockey club. His
wife having died, lir. Wells In 1870 married ne
widow OF the merchant prince, D. w, Rcll v ht
survives him.