Heber Manning Wells

Heber M. Wells

Heber Manning Wells (born August 11, 1859 in Salt Lake City , Utah , † March 12, 1938 ) was an American politician ( Republican Party ) and the first governor of the state of Utah.

Early years and political advancement

Wells attended the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah ), became a Salt Lake City tax collector, and then worked as a City Recorder from 1882 to 1890 . After his unsuccessful attempt to become mayor of Salt Lake City, he secured the Republican nomination for governor of Utah.

Governor of Utah

After Utah became the 45th state to join the Union , he was first elected for a five-year term and then re-elected for a second four-year term. As the first governor of Utah, he dealt first with the establishment of the state government and the transformation of a territory into a state . Although he was interested in economic development, he recognized the need to protect the natural environment of Utah and therefore fought for the creation of forest reserves.

Another résumé

After completing his second term, he became the executive director of the Utah Savings and Trust Company . From 1913 to 1917 he was the Commissioner of Parks and Property in Salt Lake City. Two years later he became an editor for the Salt Lake City Herald . He went on to become Deputy Treasurer and then Treasurer of the US Shipping Board Fleet Corporation , where he remained until 1933. Wells returned to Utah in 1935 and became an associate editor of the Deseret Evening News .

He was married three times to Mary Elizabeth Beatie, Teresa Clawson Cummings, and Emily Katz. Six children emerged from the connections. He was also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .

Web links

• Heber Manning Wells in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• Heber Wells of the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Utah