The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-14
BIOGRAPHY

BIOGRAPHY.
Elijah Sells was born in Franklin
! county, O., and received his early edu-
cation in the public schools of that
district. After entering active bust
ness life he was for number of years
engaged in mercantile enterprises, in
| all of which he met with admirable
success. When still a young man he
removed to the state of Iowa, and has
| the distinction of being a member of
the first constitutional convention i'll
that state. He was also a member of
the second and third sessions of the
Iowa legislature, and in 1856 he was
elected secretary of state and twice
reelected. For three years he acted
as adjutant- general of Iowa.
Mr.. Sells was appointed revenue col
lector under the first United States
internal revenue law, but did not ac-
cept the position. Early in 1863 he was
appointed paymaster in the army with
rank of major. Later in the same
year he was urged by his friends at
home to accept the nomination of gov
ernor, and strongly requested to come
home before the convention, but de-
clined in favor of Colonel William NJ.
Stone, who was nominated and elected.
Shortly after this he secured and ac
cepted an appointment in the Missis-
sippi squadron of the United States
navy and was assigned TO the COM
mand or the United States receiving
ship Grampus. Remaining in the
service in this important position for
about a year, he was rendered the po-
sition of third auditor of the treasury
department by Hon. Salmon P. Chase,
then secretary of the treasury. He
resigned his office in the navy to ac-
cept this position, and shortly subse-
quent he was transferred to the Of
fee of auditor of the treasury for the
postoffice department.
Later he was appointed by the sec
rotary of the interior to the office of
superintendent of Indian affairs for
the southern Superintendency and
was also appointed one of the COM
miSSionerS to negotiate treaties of am
ity and reace with the Indians. who
had forfeited their treaty stipulations
by joining the confederate army.
Mr.. Sells had an extremely eventful
public career and his appointment to
divers positions IL the offices of the
government gave him a wide eXper-
fence as well as a host of friends and
acquaintance among the head officials
in the various departments. But dur
ing all his public life it may be said he
never sacrificed his honor or principles
for money or fame, though many times
presented with opportunities for pecun-
4dl y sam ny ddNONdliii5 III 4lANlplSS anu
policies adverse TO his own firm convic-
ton and sincere beliefs.
CAME TO UTAH IN 1872.
In 1867 he went to Lawrence. Kan, |
and in 1869 was elected from Douglas |
county to the legislature, being re- |
elected in 1870 and 1871, serving at each |
session as chairman of the ways and !
means committee. Mr.. Sells first came |
to Utah in 1872. and at once engaged /
in the organization of a mining COM |
pany, of which corporation he was
president and general manager In |
1878 he engaged in the lumber business
in this CITY. which enterprise he built |
up 10 a substantial and profitable |
basis. In 1889 he was appointed sere- I
tary of Utah territory and ex-officio /
secretary of the Utah commission, in |
which capacity he was highly appre-
ciated and looked UP to by those who |
placed him in Office, and the efficient
and satisfactory service he rendered in
sured for him the hearty support and
good viii of the people. Mr.. Sells took
an active part in many public-spirited
and had unlimited faith in
the great possibilities for Salt Lake
the development of the end
ess resources tributary to the city He
was a thorough-going, philosophical
man. OF broad and liberal views, and
principles of the highest standard. He
was genial and sociable and was well