Wells, Fargo & Company

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Wells, Fargo & Company was founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo. Wells and Fargo had also established the American Express Company with John Butterfield in 1850. In 1857 Wells Fargo, American Express, Adams Express, and United States Express formed the Overland Mail Company, which Wells Fargo took over in the early 1860s. Nat Stein served as Director of Wells Fargo from 1901-1902.

From the description of Letters and receipts relating to Wells, Fargo & Company, 1854-1892. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 647767815

Wells, Fargo & Company was founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William George Fargo and expanded to capture the express business in the western U.S. in the wake of the Gold Rush. In 1872, Lloyd Tevis (1824-1899) became president, and his successor was John Joseph Valentine (1840-1901).

From the description of Records of Wells, Fargo & Company, 1839-1911 (bulk 1883-1906). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122443663

The San Francisco branch of Wells Fargo was established in 1852. It operated freight and passenger express coaches from San Francisco to Sacramento and other towns where offices were established for banking.

From the description of Wells, Fargo & Company collection, 1853-1906. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 58746711

Corporate History

Wells, Fargo & Company was founded in New York in 1852 through the amalgamation of several companies by Henry Wells (1805-1878) and William George Fargo (1818-1881). It was expanded in the wake of the Gold Rush to handle the growing express business in the West. Henry Wells is not represented in the collection, nor is William G. Fargo, but there are a few letters from or about his brothers James Congdell Fargo and Charles Fargo who were active in Wells, Fargo & Company and the American Express Company. In 1872 Lloyd Tevis (1824-1899) became president of Wells, Fargo & Company followed in 1892 by John Joseph Valentine (1840-1901).

From the guide to the Wells, Fargo & Company Records, 1839-1911, (bulk 1883-1906), (The Huntington Library)

History

The Wells Fargo and Company was founded in New York in 1852 a branch established in San Francisco the same year. It operated freight and passenger express coaches from San Francisco to Sacramento and other towns where offices were established for banking. In 1905, the express business was suspended and the banking business merged with the Nevada Bank.

From the guide to the Wells, Fargo & Company Papers, 1853-1906, (California State Library)
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Redd, Lemuel Hardison, 1836-1910. Two encapsulated checks, 1879-1881. Harold B. Lee Library
referencedIn Roberson, Emily Lofland, 1857-1943. Emily Lofland Roberson papers and photographs, circa 1848-1934 (bulk 1878-1888). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Douglas Menuez photography collection, 1986-2006 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Letterpress copy book for the Wells, Fargo & Company office in Tampico, Mexico, 1892 Aug.-1893 July. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Wells, Fargo and Company collection. University of Texas at El Paso
referencedIn George M. Scott letter press book, 1880-1881 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Dunn, Horace D.,. Horace D. Dunn letter and receipt : San Francisco, Calif., to Edward W. Kinsley, Boston, Mass., 1872 Aug. 28. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo & Company ledger for gold shipments : Columbia, Calif., 1853-1883. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Richard Evan Davis wanted poster : Brawley, Calif., 1912 Nov. 10. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn White, Stephen Mallory, 1853-1901. Stephen Mallory White papers, 1871-1901. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn James V. Mansfield papers 1859-1933 1862-1864 Mansfield, James V. papers William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Vaugh, O., Mrs. Mrs. O. Vaugh receipt from Wells, Fargo & Company, 1917. Museum of the Great Plains
referencedIn Pearson, Robert D. Robert D. Pearson collection of General Land Office records, 1882-1948. New Mexico State Library
referencedIn Bradford, James Otey, d. 1919?. James Otey Bradford papers, 1869-1919. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Company reports collection, 1946-2009 Boise State University, Albertsons Library
creatorOf Gatzert, Babette Schwabacher. Gatzert-Schwabacher family papers, 1878-1945 (bulk 1893-1900) UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Covington, Edward, 1826-1919. Biography [microform] (Typescript). Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company Records, 1839-1911, (bulk 1883-1906) The Huntington Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Cash Report Ledger. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
referencedIn Hobler, Francis, b. 1797. Francis Hobler papers, 1860-1866. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company records, 1863-1906 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Truck makes deliveries, view 1] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
creatorOf California. Superior Court (Sonoma County). Case 905 : Ellen M. Colton vs. Leland Stanford, C.P. Huntington, Charles Crocker and Wells, Fargo & Co., 1883-1885. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Hodgkins, Pilsbury, 1825-1892. Autobiography and Reminiscence of Pilsbury Hodgkins : "Life of Pilsbury Hodgkins - Better Known Throuughout California as Chips", San Francisco, 1904. The Society of California Pioneers - Alice Phelan Sullivan Library
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Messenger at bank] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
referencedIn Arizona Desert Rats (Organization). Desert Rats photograph album, 1938 Aug. Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
referencedIn Salisbury, O.J. (Orange James), 1845-1907. Orange J. Salisbury letter, 1891. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Bunnell, Katherine Mapes. Bunnell-Mapes family papers, 1821-1966 (bulk 1870-1907). UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Los Angeles County (Calif.). Los Angeles County (Calif.) land papers : ms., 1841-1869. California Digital Library
referencedIn Tuttle, Daniel Sylvester, 1837-1923. Reminiscences by Bishop Tuttle of his mission days in Utah, Idaho and Montana, 1903. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Taylor, Adelaide Virginia Dorsey, d. 1947. Material concerning the Dorsey and Taylor families of Grass Valley, Calif., [undated]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Stuart, Reginald R. (Reginald Ray), b. 1882. Stuart Transportation Documents, 1859-1899. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Wells, Fargo & Co. express abstract book : Junction City, Calif., for E.L. Reed, agent, 1894 Jan. 31-1895 Aug. 31. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
creatorOf United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Receipt for $800 from Orleans Bar Gold Mining Company : San Francisco : DS, 1905 Apr. 12. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn William Barnhart papers, 1850-1878 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Bodie, Calif. Citizens. Recommendation to John J. Valentine, Wells, Fargo & Co., for employment of Oliver Roberts as a messenger : DS, 1878 Nov. 21. California Digital Library
referencedIn Menuez, Doug. Douglas Menuez photography collection, circa 1986-2006. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Papers, 1957-1993 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Minnesota. Testimony and exhibits in rate cases, 1895-1911. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Affidavits for ardent spirits collection, 1916-1917. James Madison University Libraries
creatorOf Muir, Adam. Adam Muir letter : Downieville, Calif., to Wells Fargo agent, 1871 June 2. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Scott, George Winfield, b. 1875. George W. Scott letter press book, 1880-1881. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Overland stage line : papers, [1901-1902]. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Two checks : Virginia City, Nevada : DS, 1862-1864. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf King, Stephen T. Stephen T. King and James L. King letters : San Francisco, Calif., to John H. King, New York, N.Y., 1854-1860. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Letters and receipts relating to Wells, Fargo & Company, 1854-1892. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Hodgkins, Pilsbury, 1825-1892. "Chips": an autobiography : photocopied typescript, [after 1892?]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Loring family. The Loring family collection, 1804-ca. 1960 [manuscript]. Arizona State University Libraries
referencedIn Eichelberger, Bessie Reese. Bessie Reese Eichelberger papers, 1863-1948. Nevada State Historical Society
referencedIn Seibert, J. M. Letterbook of J. M. Seibert, 1899-1902. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. Merger records, 1802-1987. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Law firm records., 1878-1941. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Copies, Wells Fargo equipment [Painting] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Truck in front of Arkansas Gazette building] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
referencedIn Brown, George A. (George Adelbert), 1851-1934. Papers, 1878-1930 (bulk 1929-1930). Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
creatorOf Saint Louis-San Francisco Railway Company. Records, 1892-1961. Museum of the Great Plains
referencedIn Curtis, Allen A. Manhattan Silver Mining Company, 1863-1888. California state library
creatorOf Maxwell, Clarence L. Papers relating to apprehension of ... for Rawhide Stage Robbery, 1908. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Baldwin & Co. Baldwin & Co. day book B : ms, 1855 Mar. 17-1856 Feb. 17. California historical society
referencedIn Augustus S. Ensworth Ledger, 1860 September-1865 January San Diego History Center Document Collection
referencedIn White, Stephen Mallory. Papers, 1871-1901 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Humphreys, James H. Wells Fargo office design plans. Museum of New Mexico Library
referencedIn Smith, David M. Drawings, ca. 1950. Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
creatorOf Daegener, William, d. 1893. William Daegener business papers, 1850-1871. California historical society
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Records of Wells, Fargo & Company, 1839-1911 (bulk 1883-1906). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Hume, James B., 1827-1904. James Bunyan Hume papers, [ca. 1877-1900]. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Baber, G. M., fl. 1868. Miscellaneous documents, 1847-1911. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wilson, John, d. 1862. John Wilson letters, 1859-1865. Newberry Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Wells, Fargo & Company collection, 1853-1906. California state library
creatorOf Langton's Pioneer Express. Sierra County manuscripts, 1863-[ca. 1880]. California Digital Library
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Truck across from Arkansas Gazette building] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Wells, Fargo & Company records [manuscript], 1863-1906. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Tong Tuck Wo Company. Wells Fargo and Company envelope, 1885. Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society
referencedIn Orange J. Salisbury letter, 1891 L. Tom Perry Special Collections
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Wells Fargo commission envelope : San Francisco, [ca. 1870] UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Lanman and Kemp. Lanman and Kemp miscellany, 1857-1870. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Reed, Henry, fl. 1866. Letterbook : Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company, 1866 May-Aug. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Earp Brothers. Dictations from the Earp Brothers, 1886, 1888. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Higgins, John. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express receipt : Columbia, Calif., 1859 April 30. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Californian and Western manuscripts collection, ca. 1760-1963. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Book of waybills : Auburn, Calif., 1856 October 1 - 1858 November 4. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Sproul, Allan, 1896-1978. Allan Sproul papers, 1907-1978 (bulk 1945-1978). UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Allan Sproul papers, 1907-1978, bulk 1945-1978 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company Papers, 1853-1906 California state library
referencedIn Davis, Kellogg & Severance (Saint Paul, Minn.). Law firm records, 1878-1941. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Barnhart, William, ca. 1827-1909. William Barnhart papers, 1850-1878. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Copies, Wells Fargo equipment [Stage coach] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
referencedIn Blake, Charles Thompson, 1826-1897. Papers, 1849-1934 ; (bulk 1849-1864). California historical society
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Record of freight and treasure shipments : Virginia City, Montana : ms., 1867. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Truck makes deliveries, view 3] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
creatorOf Sacramento County (Calif.). Recorder's Office. Transcript of marks and brands of Yolo County (Calif.), 1850- 1874. University of Arizona Libraries
creatorOf Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Shipping manifest : DS, 1862 February 10. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Gold and bullion receipts, receipt books, money order receipts, etc., 1861-1914. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Charles Thompson Blake letters and miscellany, 1849-1865 California historical society
referencedIn Brown, Andrew, 1829-1909. Papers of Andrew Brown, 1856-1896. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Money order, 1868 Nov. 6. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Records, 1864-1878. Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society
referencedIn J.W. Haynie and Company. J. W. Haynie and Company daily journal, 1872-1880. Nevada State Historical Society
referencedIn Deane, Ernie. Wells Fargo, Little Rock, Ark. July 2, 1963 equipment [Truck makes deliveries, view 2] [graphic] / Ernie Deane [photographer]. Arkansas History Commission
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Freight label and post card. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
referencedIn Harrington, Thomas. Thomas Harrington letter : Black Diamond, Calif., to W.R. Hariman, 1881 or 1887 July 18. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Forman, Charles, 1835-. Statement from Charles Forman, [1887?]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Blake, Charles Thompson, 1826-1897. Charles Thompson Blake letters and miscellany, 1849-1865. California historical society
referencedIn Bascomb. Sage brush reveries : reminiscenes of Nevada, during the early days of silver mining, as seen by the writer, 1864 to 1900 / by Bascom, ca. 1900. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Candy Waugaman Collection, ca. 1899-[ongoing] University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library
creatorOf Wells, Fargo & Company. Money order receipt, 1895, Aug. 9. Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum
referencedIn Harris, Charles L. Harris family scrapbook. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf McCook, Edward Moody, 1833-1909. Paid Wells Fargo & Co. [envelope] : Hon. J.B. Chaffee, St. Nicholas Hotel, New York, N.Y. / E.M. McCook, Denver Colorado. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Hailey, John, 1835-1921. Papers, 1869-1913. Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society
referencedIn Pinal County Photograph Album, ca. 1908-1935 (bulk 1920-1935) Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division
creatorOf Maltman, William, d. 1870. William Maltman letters : to his wife, Slatira Maltman, Nevada City, Calif., 1856-1872. UC Berkeley Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository

Filters:

Connection Graph Radial Graph
Relation Name
associatedWith Arizona Desert Rats (Organization) corporateBody
associatedWith Baldwin & Co. corporateBody
associatedWith Barnhart, William, ca. 1827-1909. person
associatedWith Bascomb. person
associatedWith Blake, Charles Thompson, 1826-1897. person
associatedWith Bodie, Calif. Citizens. corporateBody
associatedWith Bradford, James Otey, d. 1919? person
associatedWith Brown, Andrew, 1829-1909. person
associatedWith Brown, George A. (George Adelbert), 1851-1934. person
associatedWith Bunnell, Katherine Mapes. person
associatedWith California. Superior Court (Sonoma County) corporateBody
associatedWith Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. corporateBody
associatedWith Cortina Basadre, Gregorio. person
associatedWith Covington, Edward, 1826-1919. person
associatedWith Cushing, Marshall, 1860-1915. person
associatedWith Daegener, William, d. 1893. person
associatedWith Daly, Marcus, 1841-1900. person
associatedWith Davis, Kellogg & Severance (Saint Paul, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Deane, Ernie. person
associatedWith D. Ogden Mills Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Dunn, Horace D., person
associatedWith Earp Brothers. family
associatedWith Eichelberger, Bessie Reese. person
associatedWith Ensworth, Augustus S. person
associatedWith Evans, Dudley, 1838-1910. person
associatedWith Forman, Charles, 1835- person
associatedWith Gilmer & Salisbury Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Haggin, James Ben Ali, 1822-1914. person
associatedWith Hailey, John, 1835-1921. person
associatedWith Hancock, W. J. person
associatedWith Harrington, Thomas. person
associatedWith Harris, Charles L. person
associatedWith Hearst, George, 1820-1891. person
associatedWith Hearst, Phoebe Apperson, 1842-1919. person
associatedWith Heron, James, fl. 1875-1886. person
associatedWith Higgins, John. person
associatedWith Hobler, Francis, b. 1797. person
associatedWith Hodgkins, Pilsbury, 1825-1892. person
associatedWith Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Hughes, Bela M., 1817-1902. person
associatedWith Hume, James B., 1827-1904. person
associatedWith Humphreys, James H. person
associatedWith Huntington, Collis Potter, 1821-1900. person
associatedWith J.W. Haynie and Company. corporateBody
associatedWith King, Stephen T. person
associatedWith Lanman and Kemp. corporateBody
associatedWith Loring family. family
associatedWith Los Angeles County (Calif.) corporateBody
associatedWith Maltman, William, d. 1870. person
associatedWith Mansfield, James V., b. c. 1817 person
associatedWith Margaret Dunkle person
associatedWith Maxwell, Clarence L. person
associatedWith McCook, Edward Moody, 1833-1909. person
associatedWith Menuez, Doug. person
associatedWith Muir, Adam. person
associatedWith Norris, Thomas W. person
associatedWith Overland Stage Line. corporateBody
associatedWith Pacific Mail Steamship Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Parsons, Hosmer Benjamin, 1846-1908. person
associatedWith Pearson, Robert D. person
associatedWith Railroad and Warehouse Commission of the State of Minnesota. corporateBody
associatedWith Redd, Lemuel Hardison, 1836-1910. person
associatedWith Reed, Henry, fl. 1866. person
associatedWith Richardson, D.S., person
associatedWith Roberson, Emily Lofland, 1857-1943. person
associatedWith Roberson, Joseph S., person
associatedWith Root, Frank A. 1837-1926. person
associatedWith Sacramento County (Calif.). Recorder's Office. corporateBody
associatedWith Saint Louis-San Francisco Railway Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Salisbury, O.J. (Orange James), 1845-1907. person
associatedWith Schroeder, J. A. (of Mariposa). person
associatedWith Scott, George M. person
associatedWith Scott, George Winfield, b. 1875. person
associatedWith Seibert, J. M. person
associatedWith Sleeper Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Smith, David M. person
associatedWith Sproul, Allan, 1896- person
associatedWith Sproul, Allan, 1896-1978. person
associatedWith Stein, Nat, person
associatedWith Stuart, Reginald R. (Reginald Ray), b. 1882. person
associatedWith Sullivan, Adeline. person
associatedWith Taylor, Adelaide Virginia Dorsey, d. 1947. person
associatedWith Tevis, Lloyd. person
associatedWith Tong Tuck Wo Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Tuttle, Daniel Sylvester, 1837-1923. person
associatedWith United States. Dept. of the Treasury. corporateBody
associatedWith Valentine, John J. 1840-1901. person
associatedWith Vaugh, O., Mrs. person
associatedWith Waugaman, Candy. person
associatedWith White, Stephen Mallory, 1853-1901. person
associatedWith Wilson, John, d. 1862. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Oregon--Jacksonville
United States
Montana
West (U.S.)
Fort Shaw (Mont.)
Missoula (Mont.)
Auburn (Calif.)
Columbia (Calif.)
Helena (Mont.)
Idaho--Bannock
Montana Trail
Salt Lake City (Utah)
Lovell's (Mont.)
Montana
Deer Lodge (Mont.)
United States
California--Columbia
Ogden (Utah)
Idaho--Centerville
California
California
Tampico (Tamaulipas, Mexico)
Corinne (Utah)
Butte (Mont.)
Utah
West (U.S.)
West (U.S.)
Mexico
Mexico
Bannock (Mont.)
Franklin (Idaho)
Subject
Banks and banking
Banks and banking
Banks and banking
Bills of lading
California History
Coaching (Transportation)
Express service
Express service
Express service
Gold mines and mining
Indians of North America
Investments, American
Oregon
Pony express
Postal service
Railroads
Stagecoach lines
Stagecoach lines
West (U.S.)
West (U.S.)
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Active 1961

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