My Genealogy Hound

ABEL W. WELLS, President of the Wells-Higman Company, and also President of the Union Banking Company of St. Joseph, is a native of Canada and was born in the county of Prescott on the 6th of September, 1840. His parents, A. W. and Hannah (Cass) Wells, were also born in Canada, and the father followed the occupation of a merchant. In his boyhood the subject of this sketch attended the common schools. At the age of eighteen his school days ended and he afterward assisted his father on the home farm.

Upon starting out for himself, Mr. Wells was for a time in the employ of George W. Eaton. In 1866 he came to Michigan, and at Muskegon secured employment in a sawmill, where he remained several years. Later he went to Belle Plaine, Minn., and from there up to the head waters of the Mississippi River. In 1867 and 1868 he visited St. Joseph and was so favorably impressed with the business opportunities presented here that he formed a partnership with W. W. Wilcox and H. C. Ward, under the title of A. W. Wells & Co., and engaged in the manufacture of berry boxes. The business is now conducted under the firm name of the Wells-Higman Company, of which A. W. Wells is President, and J. Higman, Jr., Secretary and Treasurer. The office and sales-room of the firm are located on State Street, while their factory and warerooms are on the corner of Water and Marsh Streets. This is said to be the largest factory in the West and is one of the most prosperous.

In addition to this enterprise the company has a plant at Greenfield, Tenn., which was established in 1887; another in Memphis, Tenn., which was started in 1890; and a third at Traverse City, Mich., in all of which fruit baskets and boxes are manufactured. In 1892 they cut nine million feet of timber, principally cottonwood, basswood and elm. Mr. Wells is also interested in the firm of Cooper, Wells & Co., which is engaged in the manufacture of hose, mittens, etc., employing two hundred and sixty hands, and turning out from five hundred to six hundred dozen hose per day. In connection with his brother Alpheus, our subject is engaged in the mercantile business at Herman, Minn.

When the Union Banking Company was organized in 1883, Mr. Wells aided in the enterprise, and in March, 1893, he was made President of the bank. They do a general banking business, and he is well known as one of the shrewd financiers of western Michigan. He is the owner of a finely improved farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, located in Morris, Minn., and also owns the elegant brick residence which he occupies, and which is picturesquely situated on the lake front. A Republican in his political affiliations, he has been chosen by his fellow-citizens to occupy various positions of trust and honor. For two years he served as Supervisor of St. Joseph, and for three years he was a member of the School Board. In his social connections he is identified with St. Joseph Lodge No. 56, F. & A. M.

January 28, 1868, occurred the marriage of A. W. Wells with Miss Melvina B. Gates, of L’Orignal, Canada, and the daughter of James O. and Eliza Gates. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have three children, all of whom are at home: Cornelia E., James Ogden and Clara. In social circles of St. Joseph this family is well known and highly regarded, and their position is among the foremost people of their community.