FRANKLIN WELLS.

Hon. Franklin Wells, who has just been reappointed (January, 1895), a member of the State Board of Agriculture, has served continuously on the board since 1873, having been appointed by Gov. Bagley, and has, since 1884, been president of the board.

Mr. Wells was born in Salem, Washington county, New York, April 19, 1823, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1837, remaining on the farm where they settled, near White Pigeon, St. Joseph county, for about a year, when he entered the store of W. T. House & Co., at Constantine, where he remained as clerk until 1841; he then went into the counting house of Jos. R. Williams & Co. as bookkeeper.

In 1842, and before he was of age, he entered into partnership in a general store with Mr. Albert Andrus, and in 1846 became sole proprietor. From that time until 1873, he continued in business as general merchant, grain and stock dealer; at one time having Governor Barry for a partner. Since 1873, and up to the present time, he has been farming, and stock, grain and wool buying.

His school education was obtained in the common schools of Salem, and later in Washington Academy before coming to Michigan. This and his training in the general store and counting house fitted him for his business career.

Mr. Wells has persistently refused legislative and other nominations offered him, but has continuously held positions of trust and responsibility. He was clerk of the township of Constantine at 21, has been member and president of village board of trustees; member of the school board for many years; member of the executive committee, and at one time elected president of the State Agricultural Society but refused to serve, chairman of its business committee, postmaster of Constantine under Lincoln and Harrison; and State statistical agent for the United States department of agriculture for four years.

March 29, 1894, was the 21st anniversary of Mr. Wells' appointment on the board and was made the occasion of a social gathering of the board and faculty of the college, all of whom deemed it a pleasure to thus honor the president of the board.

An elegant banquet was prepared and responses to toasts were made by Governor Rich, ex-Governor Jerome, Hon. Henry Chamberlain, Hon. C. W. Garfield, Dr. R. C. Kedzie, Pres. L. G. Gorton and K. L. Butterfield, editor of the Grange Visitor.

Mr. Wells has always insisted on keeping the work of the college in line with the plan outlined in the organic act creating the Board of Agriculture and establishing the college. His business training and knowledge of affairs have been of great aid in administering the affairs of the college.

In view of this long service and the entire devotion of Mr. Wells to the college and its interests, it seems not unfitting that a portrait and a short sketch, which are inserted without his knowledge, are entirely appropriate in this report as a tribute to his twentytwo years of unselfish labor for the Agricultural College.