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NAVAGATION
Genesee County Biographies
Names A to B
Names C
Names D to E
Names F to G
Names H
Names I to L
Names M to N
Names O to R
Names S
Names T to Z
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Genesee County History
New York History
Erie County Biographies
History at Rays Place
Linkpendium Genesee County
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Wells, Schuyler C., was born in Ponltney, Vt., February 6, 1840. His early life
was spent upon his father's farm and at the age of fifteen he assumed its management. At the same time he pursued
his studies at Troy Conference Academy, located in his native town, where he received a thorough business education.
In his early days Mr. Wells displayed a natural fondness for drugs and medicines, and in 1866 came to Le Roy, where
a copartnership was formed with his brother-in-law, Dr. S. L. Hooker, under the firm name of Hooker & Wells.
They purchased Medical Hall and conducted an extensive drug business for three years. when the partnership was
dissolved. During that time he applied himself to the study of medicine and gave special attention to observing
the effects certain formilae had on the human system. About this time Mr. Wells obtained a patent on a pail ear
and an eavetrough; to manufacture these he sold his interest in the drug business and formed a copartnership with
James P. Kneeland. He afterwards sold his interest in the firm and again entered the drug trade, devoting himself
to the perfection of his formulaae. which he soon put on the market under the name of "Shiloh's Family Remedies."
This was in 1871, and in 1873 be sold his drug business to F. T. Wilcox and devoted his entire time to the introduction
of his remedies, soon becoming one of the most extensive manufacturers of proprietary medicines in the United States
and Canada. In 1877, to accommodate his growing business, Mr. Wells erected a four-story brick building on Church
street, and in 1882 was obliged to erect an addition, doubling the capacity of the plant The same year he sold
a one-third interest to his brother, the late George H. Wells, the business being conducted by S. C. Wells &
Co.; this arrangement continued until 1892, when the copartnership was dissolved by mutual consent, George H. Wells
retiring. Shortly after the sad death of Mr. Wells's brother, he announced his determination to arrange his affairs
in such a way that his family would be protected in case anything should happen to him. With him the conception
of an idea was closely followed by its materialization. To accomplish his purpose, in February, 1897, he organized
a stock company, the principal stockholders being his own family; his widow is now president of the company. In
1880 Mr. Wells purchased "Dreamland," comprising 180 acres on East Main street, and after erecting one
of the handsomest residences in town, built one of the largest stock barns in the United States, together with
a fast half-mile track and a covered eighthmile track. He organized the New York State Trotting Horse Breeders'
Association and was its first president Mr. Wells was one of the original incorporators of the Le Roy Salt Co.,
but sold his interests in 1889. He was also one of the trustees of Ingham University. He was a trustee of the M.
E. church, and when the new church edifice was erected he was made chairman of the building committee. To overseeing
the construction of the building he devoted much time, and it is due largely to his energy and enterprise that
the project terminated successfully. Mr. Wells was naturally of a genial temperament He was disposed to make friends
with all of his acquaintances and always sought to have his friendship for others reciprocated. In September, 1865,
Mr. Wells married Anna E. Hooker, daughter of & P. Hooker, president of the bank at Poultney. Vt, and a leading
manufacturer; they had three children: Mrs. M. J. Root of Buffalo; Anna H. Wells and S. Carl Wells. Mr. Wells died
July 21, 1898. Politically he was always a Republican.
Source:
Our Countty and it's people
a descriptive work on Genesee County, New York
Edited by: F. W. Beers
J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890
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