Henry Wells

Pioneer expressman, born in Thetford, Vermont, USA. He worked as an agent before joining with William Fargo and Daniel Dunning to found Wells & Co (1844), the first express company to operate W of Buffalo, NY. It later merged with other companies to become the American Express Co (1850). Together, Wells and Fargo then established Wells, Fargo & Co (1852). Wells also founded Wells Seminary (later, College) for women at Aurora, NY (in 1868).

Henry Wells (December 12, 1805 – December 10, 1878) was an American businessman.

In 1836 he became a freight agent on the Erie Canal and soon founded his own company. In 1841 Wells hired William Fargo and soon the two men formed the American Express company.

In 1851 Wells and Fargo with other partners founded the Wells Fargo Company.

Henry Wells founded Wells College in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York with an endowment to make it one of the first women's colleges in the United States.

Wells died in Scotland in 1878, two days before his 73rd birthday.