Frank E. Wells Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1137 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				FRANK E. WELLS.  

	Frank E. Wells, filling the position of auditor of Tripp county, 
is a native of the neighboring state of Iowa, his birth having occurred 
in Black Hawk county, December 20, 1884. He is a son of Rollin R. and 
Elizabeth (Smith) Wells, the former a farmer during the years of his 
active business career, but both he and his wife have now passed away  

	At the usual age their son Frank became a public-school pupil and 
is indebted to the school system of his native state for the 
educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for 
business duties in later life. When his textbooks were put aside he 
continued with his father on the home farm for a time but turned to 
other pursuits for a livelihood and for four years was in the employ of 
the Swift Packing Company of Iowa. In 1909 he came to South Dakota, 
settling at Witten, where he engaged in the hardware business, 
conducting his store at that point for about four years. He was then 
called to public Office, being nominated and elected county auditor of 
Tripp county in 1912, in which year he disposed of his business and 
removed to Winner. He discharged his duties promptly, systematically 
and efficiently and was reelected in 1914, so that 0a present term of 
office will continue until 1916.  

	On the 24th of June, 1908, Mr. Wells was united in marriage to 
Miss Anna Gibson, a daughter of Peter J. and Johanna (Johnson) Gibson. 
To them have been born two children, Doris A. and Hazel R. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wells are communicants of the Episcopal church and he belongs also to 
the Masonic fraternity, which counts him among its exemplary 
representatives. He has always adhered to republican teachings since he 
acquired the right of franchise and is never loath to announce and 
support his honest convictions. Hunting is one of his favorite 
recreations and he enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports. One cannot enter 
the west with its great, broad prairies, its thriving towns, its 
populous business centers, without becoming imbued with the progressive 
spirit that is accomplishing much day by day, a spirit which has its 
root in the desires and the efforts of the citizens who recognize their 
opportunity and are building for present and future greatness. To this 
class belongs Frank E. Wells.