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Preston A. Wells Jr.

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Revision as of 12:31, 27 December 2024 by Rochambeau1783 (talk | contribs) (clean up)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American businessman (1922–2003)

Preston A. Wells Jr.
BornRichard Wells
(1922-10-08)October 8, 1922
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 2003(2003-09-02) (aged 80)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
Occupations
Known forLargest landowner on Las Olas Boulevard; major political donor
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Helen Shuman (divorced)
Marion Gretsch ​(m. 1973)​
Children6 (including 5 stepchildren)
Parent(s)Preston A. Wells Sr.
Lillian Shedd Wells
RelativesThomas E. Wells (grandfather)
John G. Shedd (great-grandfather)
Greeley Wells (cousin)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1943–1945
RankCaptain
UnitV Amphibious Corps
Battles / wars
Awards

Preston Albert "Dick" Wells Jr. (born Richard Wells; October 8, 1922 – September 2, 2003) was an American businessman, real estate developer, cattle baron, and philanthropist. He was president of The Las Olas Company and owner of the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 1972 to 2003. At the time of his death, he was the largest landholder in Las Olas Isles. Wells was chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute from 2002 to 2003. He was a World War II veteran, having fought the Axis powers in the Pacific War.

Early life and education

Preston Albert Wells Jr. was born Richard Wells on October 8, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, to Preston A. Wells Sr., son of Thomas E. Wells, and Lillian Shedd, sister of John Shedd Reed and granddaughter of John G. Shedd. He was raised in Winnetka, Illinois and graduated from North Shore Country Day School. Wells earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In 1935, Wells visited Salzburg, Austria, while under Austrofascist rule, and returned home to Chicago aboard the Majestic with his parents, Giorgio Polacco, and Edith Mason.

Career and military service

While attending MIT, Wells participated in Army ROTC before cross-commissioning into the United States Marine Corps in 1943. During World War II, he fought the Empire of Japan in the Pacific theatre at the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the surrender of Japan, Wells retired from service at the rank of Captain, having received the Bronze Star Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon for his actions. His cousin, then-First Lieutenant Greeley Wells, adjutant of 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, served on the island with Wells and was a part of the first raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. After returning home from the war, Wells worked for the Quaker Oats Company as the chief engineer of the chemical division.

Wells gained control of The Las Olas Company in 1972. The company owned the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and other large properties across Broward County, Florida.

In January 1979, Wells was appointed as a member of the Florida Tax Commission by Governor Bob Graham.

For most of his adult life, Wells was the primary owner of Rush Creek Ranch in Nebraska; founded by his grandfather in 1890.

Political views and contributions

For many years, Wells donated to the Republican Party and supported conservative causes. He was a member of the board of trustees of The Heritage Foundation for nearly 30 years. The "Preston A. Wells, Jr. Senior Research Fellow, Center for Health and Welfare Policy" and "Preston A. Wells Jr. Day" were named in his honor.

He was a major donor during the foundation of the James Madison Institute. The institute designated "Preston A. Wells Jr. Day" in his honor and named their "Center for American Ideals" after him.

From 2002 until his death, Wells was chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute; an annual award was designated in his honor.

After significant donations, the University of Florida's Department of Neurology was named after his mother, Lillian, and the department's Center for Brain Tumor Therapy was named after him.

Personal life and family

In 1946, Wells married Helen Whirle Shuman. The couple eventually divorced after having a daughter, Barbara. He married his second wife, Marion Gretsch, in 1973. They lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida until his death.

In 1991, Wells and his wife were shipwrecked in The Bahamas after their 54-foot sailboat ran aground on a reef. They were rescued by a passing cruise ship.

Wells died from cancer on September 2, 2003. Upon the announcement of his death, Edwin Feulner reacted by saying: “We will miss his quiet and principled guidance in every area of Heritage’s activities.”

References

  1. "Las Olas Hotel is Purchased by Chicago Visitor". Fort Lauderdale Daily News and Evening Sentinel. January 17, 1934. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  2. ^ "Businessman, wife rescued at sea". Miami Herald. April 2, 1991. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Jaime (September 4, 2003). "Obituary". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Preston Wells Obituary". Legacy.com (Press release). Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  5. "Mrs. Mary Wells". Chicago Tribune. August 7, 1941. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  6. "Letter Tells of Salzburg Crowds". Chicago Tribune. September 5, 1935. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Hernandez, Jaime (September 4, 2003). "Preston Wells, 80, Led Company That Helped Develop Las Olas". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  8. "Preston A. Wells". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  9. Lodder, Reece (November 20, 2014). "Remembering Greeley: The Marine who carried his flag to Iwo Jima". DVIDS. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  10. "Possible Big New Industry Foreseen Near Belle Glade". The Palm Beach Post. November 10, 1965. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  11. Wallman, Brittany (July 9, 2007). "Historic hotel plans expansion". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  12. Croghan, Lore (July 7, 1993). "Street-smart family builds fortune". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  13. Thurwachter, Mary (May 27, 2007). "Midweek deals for girlfriends and second honeymooners". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  14. "History". thelasolascompany.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  15. "5 Central Floridians join state tax commission". Orlando Sentinel. January 11, 1979. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  16. "Graham picks new members for tax panel". Tallahassee Democrat. January 11, 1979. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  17. "Graham (continued)". Tallahassee Democrat. January 11, 1979. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  18. "Customer Highlight: Rush Creek". Points West Community Bank. July 19, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  19. "2015 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  20. "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  21. "Edmund F. Haislmaier". The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  22. "2016 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  23. "Sou⁠t⁠h Flor⁠i⁠da Teen En⁠t⁠repreneur W⁠i⁠ns JMI Award; JMI Announces Pres⁠t⁠on A. Wells, Jr. Cen⁠t⁠er for Amer⁠i⁠can Ideals". James Madison Institute (Press release). 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  24. Wickboldt, Valerie (2013). "JMI Announces Launch of Pres⁠t⁠on A. Wells, Jr. Cen⁠t⁠er for Amer⁠i⁠can Ideals a⁠t⁠ Sou⁠t⁠h Flor⁠i⁠da Cons⁠t⁠⁠i⁠⁠t⁠u⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on Day Celebra⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on". James Madison Institute (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  25. "Preston A. Wells Jr. Leadership Award". Intercollegiate Studies Institute. November 10, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  26. "Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery". ufl.edu. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  27. "Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy". ufl.edu. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  28. "Helen Shuman to Be Wed to P.A. Wells Jr". Chicago Tribune. October 2, 1946. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  29. "Winnetka Couple Honeymoon Here". Fort Lauderdale Daily News and Evening Sentinel. December 11, 1946. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  30. Smith, Sue (March 25, 1967). "Deb Set Jets Off for Spring Holidays". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  31. Christensen, Dan (November 23, 2009). "Money and betrayal on Las Olas Boulevard". Florida Bulldog.
  32. "Marion Gretsch Wells". Capital Research Center (Press release). February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  33. "Shipwrecked couple saved by cruise ship". The Bradenton Herald. April 2, 1991. Retrieved December 24, 2024.

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