On this date Owen Augustine Wells was born in New York. He moved with his parents to a farm near Empire, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 1850. He practiced law and was also engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising. Wells was appointed by President Cleveland as collector of internal revenue for the third Wisconsin district in 1885. He served in this post until 1887 when that district was consolidated with the Milwaukee district. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1888 and to the Gold Democratic National Convention in 1896, also to numerous State conventions of his party. Wells was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress and served from March 4, 1893 to March 3, 1895. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1894 and declined to accept any public office. Wells resumed his law practice in Fond du Lac and retired in 1901. He resided in Fond du Lac until his death there on January 29, 1935. He is buried in Rienzi Cemetery. [Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congrees]
1863 - (Civil War) Skirmish at Batesville, Arkansas
The 1st Wisconsin Cavalry fought a skirmish at Batesville, Arkansas.
1871 - Wisconsin Central Railroad Organized
On this date the Wisconsin Central Railroad was formally organized in Menasha. [Source: History Just Ahead: A Guide to Wisconsin Historical Markers edited by Sarah Davis McBride]
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