Daniel Wells Jr.

Daniel Wells Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 1st district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by	Charles Durkee
Succeeded by	John F. Potter
Member of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory for Milwaukee & Washington counties
In office November 5, 1838 – November 2, 1840 Serving with William A. Prentiss
Preceded by	Alanson Sweet & Gilbert Knapp
Succeeded by	Jonathan E. Arnold & Don A. J. Upham
Personal details
Born	(1808-07-16)July 16, 1808 West Waterville, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	March 18, 1902(1902-03-18) (aged 93) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marcia Bryant ​ ​ (m. 1831; died 1883)​
Signature

Daniel Wells, Jr., (July 16, 1808 – March 18, 1902) was an American railroad businessman, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1853–1857), representing Wisconsin.

Born in West Waterville, Massachusetts (now Oakland, Maine), Wells attended the public schools and became a teacher. Wells engaged in the mercantile business at Palmyra, Maine. He then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1838 and engaged in banking and lumbering pursuits. He was appointed probate judge of Milwaukee in 1838. He served as member of the Wisconsin Territorial Council 1838-1840.

Wells was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1857). He represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State (Thirty-third Congress). Wells was not a candidate for renomination in 1856.

He engaged in the development of railroads serving as: a director of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1865 and 1866 and president of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, the Southern Minnesota Railroad, and the St. Paul & Minnesota Valley Railroad. Wells died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 18, 1902 and was interred in Forest Home Cemetery.

• United States Congress. "Daniel Wells Jr. (id: W000281)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Daniel Wells Jr. at Find a Grave