Heber Manning 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 rise

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

Governor of Utah

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

Further CV

After the end of his second term, he became director of the Utah Savings and Trust Company. From 1913 to 1917 he served as Commissioner of Parks and Property in Salt Lake City. Two years later he became editor of the Salt Lake City Herald. He continued, was first deputy treasurer, then treasurer of the U.S. Shipping Board Fleet Corporation, where he remained until 1933. Wells went back to Utah in 1935, where he was associate editor of the Deseret Evening News.

He was married three times, and indeed with Mary Elizabeth Beatie, Teresa Clawson Cummings and Emily Katz. From the compounds, six children have resulted. He was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints.