Henry Wells is famous for the banking and express companies he founded: American Express  (1850) and Wells, Fargo and Company (1852). But neither of these institutions was his proudest accomplishment.

At age 59, Wells began work on "the dream of my life" — establishing a college for the education of young women on the shores of Cayuga Lake in upstate New York .

In September 1868, Wells College  for women opened its doors, and became one of the first educational institutions in the nation dedicated solely to the education of women. Wells donated $200,000 in land, buildings and furnishings to the college, which he hoped (in true 19th century chauvinistic  fashion) "would make wives and mothers who would be companions for sensible men, and properly train their children for the higher walks of life."

Today, of course, ambitious Wells graduates aim even higher than that.

One early Wells College graduate exceeded Henry Wells' expectations: Frances Folsom Cleveland , the first First Lady to hold a college degree (Wells College class of 1885). She was also the first to be married in the White House. Two of the Cleveland's five children were born at the Executive Mansion during Grover Cleveland's   second term as President (he was the only President elected to two non-consecutive terms in office 1885-1889 and 1893-1897).

And their eldest daughter, "baby Ruth" ," reportedly served as the inspiration for a famous candy bar .