James L. Wells

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James Lee Wells (* 1843 in New York City , † September 5, 1928 there ) was an American businessman and politician . He was Treasurer of State of New York from 1915 to 1921 . He was also known as the Father of The Bronx , a nickname given to him by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce in May 1921.

Career

James Lee Wells was born and raised in West Farms , then a town in Westchester County , during the Depression of 1837 . His childhood was overshadowed by the Mexican-American War . In 1874 West Farms became part of the Bronx District, which later became part of New York County and became the 23rd and 24th Wards. West Farms has been a neighborhood in New York City's Borough Bronx since 1898 . Wells graduated from Columbia College in 1865 . His student days were overshadowed by the civil war. He then worked as a real estate agent and auctioneer.

In 1879 he sat for the 1st district (Westchester County) in the New York State Assembly and in 1880 for the 24th district (New York County). Wells served on the New York City Board of Aldermen from 1881 to 1883 . In 1892 he sat again for the 24th District in the New York State Assembly. In June 1895, Mayor William Lafayette Strong appointed him Commissioner of Taxes and Assessments for the remainder of John Whalen's tenure - a post he held until 1899. Mayor Seth Low then appointed him President of the Tax Commission. The Republican Party and Citizens Union nominated him for the post of Borough President of the Bronx. In the next election he suffered a defeat. Wells attended the Republican National Conventions as a delegate in 1912, 1920, and 1924 . In 1914 he was elected Treasurer of State of New York and re-elected in 1916 and 1918.

Wells was president of the North Side Board of Trade, a director of Twenty-third Ward Bank, a trustee of Dollar Savings Bank, and president of the Real Estate Auctioneers' Association of New York City. He died at his home at 277 Alexander Avenue in the Bronx.

His daughter, Edith Wells, married the Reverend Charles C. Harriman, who was rector of St. Ann's Church in the Bronx in 1908 . She died there three years later at the age of 23.

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personal data
SURNAME Wells, James L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Wells, James Lee (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American businessman and politician
DATE OF BIRTH 1843
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City
DATE OF DEATH September 5, 1928
Place of death New York City