Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-10-12
ERASTUS WELLS.
Death of q well-Known and Public Spirit
ed Citizen.

Death of q wen-Known and Public Spirit
ed Citizen.
ST. LOUIS. Oct. 4.-Ex-Congressma
Erastus Wells died Monday evening at
the family residence, Wellston, in the
western suburbs of the city, after a
long and painful illness, locomotor
ataxir being the direct cause assigned.
[Erastus Wells was born in Jefferson coun-
ty, N. Y. in 1923, and the story OF his life is
that of q self-made man. His father died when
he was IL years old and he worked on o neigh
boris farm for four yeafs for the nominal
wages of the times. He attended the district
school in the winters at the age OF is he
went to work in a WateEtpwn store for eight
dollars per month: He next clerked in Lock
port store. At the end of four years he had
accumulated sl4oo2 With this sum he
reached St. Louis in September. 1S43
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 Bat 10 2Wds the foundation of the
great street-carr system OF the St. Louis OF to-
day. In 1874 business had increased to an ex-
tent that warranted putting on another bus.
Five years later fifteen buses were in service.
When the business-be became money maker Mr..
Wells sold 1t out ut good price and estab-
lished lead factory, but nearly lost his life
by lead poisoning, and was obliged TO
retire from active business for a
year In the latter part OF 1859, with his old
partner Case he established an omnibus line
from St. Louis to Belleville. and u few months
later Wells stages ran out Olive street as far
as Seventeenth street, the limit OF the eity's
growth.
TEE FIRST Str EFT CAR IN ST. LOUIS.
In 1859 street cars were introdu ced in ST.
Louis succeeding the stages. and Erastus
Wells drove the first car over the Missouri
line to the terminus. at Seventeenth street. on
July T. 1852 That was the be.inniag OF the
Olive street line. one of st. Louis greatest
properties to-day. Mr. Wells was presden:
OF the company and held a controlling interest
until 1881 when he sold out to the Present
owners. Mr.. Wells the main spirit
and president OF the Narrow Gauge railroad to
F'lorissant which is now n part OF the St. Louis
& Suburban. This interest he also, sol out in
1851. He was at one time q director in the Ohio
& Mississippi railroad, was president OF the
Accommodation bank. director and vice
president OF the Commercial bsnk and presi
dent OF the Laclede Gaslignt Co for many
years.
AS PUBLIC SERVANT.
Mr.. Wells had q long and prominent public
career For o period OF fifteen years he was a
member OF the city council. having been first
elected in 1888. resigning his seat March 1860.
to take his seat IN congress. While In the city
council he was instrumental In inaugurating
the present system of water WORKS, and he is the
accredited father of the metropolitan police
system. He served rs member OF congress
from the central ST. Louis district for four con-
secntive terms. retiring March 4, 1877.
In 1850 MI. Wells married o daughterOf Hon.
John F. Henry. by whom he had three chii-
dren. two daughters and son. Rolla Wells,
the present president Of the St. Louis Agricul-
turai Fair association and Jockey club. His
wife having died. Elr. Wells IN 1879 married the
widow of the merchant prince. q. w Bell. who
survives him.