Horatio Wells

Horatio Nelson Wells (November 4, 1808 – August 8, 1858) was an American lawyer, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 2nd mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the 2nd attorney general of the Wisconsin Territory. He also served as the last president of the Council (upper legislative house) of the Wisconsin Territory (during the 5th Wisconsin Territorial Assembly).

Biography

Wells was born in Hinesburg, Vermont, and studied law in Burlington, Vermont. After practicing law in the East for several years, he moved to the Wisconsin Territory in 1836. In Milwaukee, he entered a legal partnership with Hans Crocker called Wells & Crocker.

As a lawyer, Wells was prolific in the first ten years of his career. According to Berryman's History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin, his success as an advocate was mostly due to his wit, his intuitive knowledge of human nature, and a vast array of useful anecdotes.

After a short break from elected office, Wells served as a member of the upper house of the Legislative Assembly from 1847 to 1848, where he was also selected as president of the council. Wells also served a short stint as mayor of Milwaukee from 1847 to 1848.

In the 2nd Wisconsin Legislature new county-level courts were established, and, in the first election for Milwaukee County judge, Wells was elected to a four-year term, serving from 1850 to 1854.