William Edwin Wells (East Liverpool, OH)

From: East Liverpool Evening Review (July 31, 1928)

William Edwin Wells, Sr. (December 28, 1863 – September 18, 1931) was primarily known as the chairman of the Homer Laughlin China Company, one of the world's largest manufacturer's of semi-porcelain, and as a spokesman for the American ceramic industry. He briefly served as president of the Potters National Bank until his untimely death. He was a founder of the town of Newell, WV and a noted philanthropist.

Biography

Early life and family

Wells was born in Brooke County, WV but educated in the public schools of Steubenville, OH. His first job was with the Steubenville drug company but he relocated to East Liverpool, OH and joined the Homer Laughlin Co. in 1889 as a bookkeeper. In 1896, he would become head of the company when Homer Laughlin retired and sold his interests to Wells and Louis I. Aaron of Pittsburgh, PA.

Wells married Elizabeth Mahan around 1883 and the couple had 3 children.

The Wells family had been influential in the area more than a century. W. E. Wells great grandfather Richard Wells settled on 640 acres in 1776. Wells' grandfather Nathaniel had been a member of the Wheeling convention that separated the states of Virginia and West Virginia. The towns of Wellsville, OH and Wellsburg, WV are both named after the Wells family.

Banking career

W. E. Wells was president of Potters National Bank for approximately 3 years, but this was a secondary role to his work with the Homer Laughlin Co. Shortly after becoming president of the Potters National Bank, Wells hosted 200 eastern OH bankers from Group 8 of the Ohio Bankers Association.

Two weeks after his death, the Potters National Bank and Dollar Savings Co. merged to become to the Potters Bank and Trust Co. This merger was almost certainly already in progress at the time of Wells' death and the merger was considered positive for both institutions.

Other career highlights

Wells spent the bulk of his career at the Homer Laughlin Co. until February 1, 1930 when his son Joseph M. Wells took over as secretary and general manager. W. E. Wells remained on as chairman of the board of directors.

During W. E. Wells tenure as manager of the Homer Laughlin Co. it expanded to over 25 times its initial size at the time Wells took control. Room for expansion simply didn't exist in East Liverpool, OH so Wells was one of the primary forces behind the building of a suspension bridge across the Ohio River to West Virginia. When the bridge was completed, Wells founded the town of Newell, WV and eventually the Homer Laughlin Co. would relocate there entirely. The Laughlin Co. built the world's largest pottery under one roof in Newell, WV.

Wells would contribute $30,000 for the development of the W. E. Wells High School in Newell, WV as well as $30,000 for the city hospital.

Wells was president of the labor committee of the United States Potters association from 1905-1906. Thereafter, he was chairman of the organization. In collective bargaining, he represented the general ware manufacturers in agreements negotiated with the national brotherhood of operative potters since 1900.

The East Liverpool, OH Rotary Club had Wells as an organizer. He was a director of this organization for several years and chairman of its public affairs committee.

Later life and death

It was reported that Wells became ill right after dictating a letter in his office at the Laughlin Co. He was driven home where Dr. V. E. McEldowney attended to him. Wells slipped into unconsciousness and never awoke. He was dead within four hours of the onset in his office. It was believed that Wells experienced a fatal stroke.

At the time of his death, Wells was still president of the Potters National Bank in East Liverpool, OH. However, the bank merged with Dollar Savings Bank and Co. two weeks later and while Wells would have remained president of the consolidated institution he may have retired at the end of the year when elections were held.

Bank Officer Summary

During his banking career, Banker Name was involved with the following bank(s):

• Potters National Bank, East Liverpool, OH (Charter 2544): President 1928 - 1931

1929-T1 $5 note signed by Rollin W. Patterson, Cashier and William E. Wells, President.