Erastus WELLS, Congress, MO (1823-1893)

WELLS Erastus , a Representative from Missouri; born in Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, N.Y., December 2, 1823; attended the public schools; moved to St. Louis, Mo., in 1842; established the first omnibus line in that city and subsequently inaugurated the first street railroad company; member of the board of aldermen of St. Louis 1853-1867; president of the Missouri Railroad Co. 1859-1883; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-first and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1877); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congress; elected to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881); was not a candidate for renomination in 1880; president of the Laclede Gas Light Co. 1880-1883; died in St. Louis, Mo., October 2, 1893; interment in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present