Blackfoot Stock Company signed by Heber Manning Wells (Utah's first Governor) - Utah, Territory 1889

Beautiful certificate from the Blackfoot Stock Company issued in 1889. This historic document was printed by Star Print Company and has an ornate border around it with a vignette of a bull. This item has the signatures of the Company's President, John Wells and Secretary, Heber M. Wells and is over 119 years old. The certificate was issued to Horace R Eldredge and signed by him on the verso.


Certificate Vignette

Heber M. Wells was the son of Daniel H Wells counselor to Brigham Young in the Mormon Church Presidency. Wells would later become Utah's first state governor. Issued to Horace R Eldredge early Utah businessman who later expanded to farming in Canada for 30 years then returning to Utah for the remainder of his life.

Heber Manning Wells

Born: August 11, 1859

Died: March 12, 1938

Married: Mary Elizabeth Beatie - 1880 (died in 1888)

Theresa Clawson - 1892 (died in 1897)

Emily Katz - 1901

Heber Manning Wells was born to Martha G. Harris and Daniel H. Wells in Salt Lake City. Young Heber attended Salt Lake City public schools and went to the University of Deseret, now known as the University of Utah. After graduation, Heber Wells became a tax collector and then a city recorder.

In 1892, Heber M. Wells ran for mayor but lost the election to Robert N. Baskin. Just three years later, Wells was a secretary to the 1895 Consitutional Convention. This position put him in place to win the Republican nomination for governor. In 1896, Wells won the governorship and was elected for a term of four years. In 1900, along with the presidential elections, Wells and other state officials were elected to another term of five years.

Utah's First Governor:

Many believe Brigham Young was Utah's first governor but Young was a Territorial Governor. Utah achieved Statehood in 1896 and Heber M. Wells became the State of Utah's first governor during statehood.

Heber Wells first priority as governor of Utah was to set up the basic organization of state offices and the court system. He was influential in determining water rights and irrigation issues. In 1899, he endorsed the first state-sponsored arts association - the Utah Arts Commission. He incorporated the Fort Douglas acreage into the University of Utah, set up Southern Utah University and set standards for dairy products.

Divisive Issues:

In 1903 to 1904, Carbon County Coal Miners went on strike. Heber Wells took the advice of General John Q. Cannon of the Utah National Guard and sent 300 Guardsmen to Carbon County. This move put Utah in debt and was part of the reason Wells lost his third bid to the governor's seat.

After Public Service : Heber M. Wells had a notable and distinguished life after leaving public office. He ran the Utah Savings and Trust Company, served on the Salt Lake City commission and was the treasurer of the US Shipping Board Fleet Corporation.

Heber M. Wells died of a stroke on March 12, 1938, leaving behind his wife, Emily Katz and seven children. Sources: Utah History Encyclopedia, Utah.gov