Frederick Adams Wells (October 13, 1857 – March 12, 1926) was an American businessman and politician from New York.
Personal life Wells was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York on October 13, 1857,New York Red Book (1921; pg. 138) the son of James Wells (1828–1888), a federal revenue assessor,"United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8JS-JNG : 29 May 2021), James Well, 1870. and his wife, Althea Maria Gantz (ca 1837–1914). Samuel Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a great-great-grandfather. Wells was educated in the public and private schools of Brooklyn.
Frederick Wells married (1st) in 1884 Ada Cynthia Gallagher (1862–1896), with whom he had a son, William Henson Wells (1886–1958). He married (2nd) in 1902 Ida Von Hofe.
In 1899, Wells was "president and treasurer of the Frederick A. Wells Co., manufacturers".Descendants of John Adams, Samuel Adams, Josiah Bartlett, and Carter Braxton, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (May 1899), p.57. In 1916, he was "engaged in the importing business".Leaders See Chance to Elect Fourteen Assembly Candidates; MAJOR FRED'K A. WELLS in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on October 15, 1916 In 1920 he was employed as a cigar salesman."United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJRX-T1C : 2 February 2021), Frederich Adam Wells, 1920.
Wells died on March 12, 1926, in St. Petersburg, Florida,DEATHS; WELLS in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on March 16, 1926 and was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Military and political career Wells was active in the New York State Militia, achieving the rank of major of the U.S. Army, but resigned his commission in 1916 in order to be eligible for election to state office.Leaders See Chance to Elect Fourteen Assembly Candidates; MAJOR FRED'K A. WELLS in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle on October 15, 1916
Running as a member of the Republican Party, Wells won election to the New York State Assembly (Kings County, 17th District) in 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921 and 1922. He was Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs from 1918 to 1922. Wells was defeated in the elections of 1922 and 23 by Julius Ruger, a Democrat.
See also
John Witt Randall, art collector, Frederick Wells’ first cousin once removed. Webster Wells, mathematician, Frederick Wells’ second cousin. Joseph Morrill Wells, architect, Frederick Wells’ second cousin.
References