Following his mother's death when he was sixteen, Wells and his father traveled to Pike's Peak Country to prospect for gold.

Failing to find riches, the pair moved south and arrived in Prescott, Arizona Territory on July 6, 1864.

The list of clerking positions included work for the 1st and 2nd territorial legislatures, the U.S. Army, Chief Justice William F. Turner, and the county board of supervisors.

As a result of the marriage, Wells became the brother-in-law to newspaperman John H. Marion and to Governor Oakes Murphy.

[1] In addition to his legal practice, Wells developed interests in cattle ranching, mining, and real estate.

Wells submitted his resignation on March 6, 1893, claiming "business matters require my attention" and asking for a replacement to be quickly appointed.

[5] Following his time on the bench Wells was appointed Attorney General of Arizona Territory by Governor Brodie, a position he held from August 2, 1902, to November 14, 1904.

[8] Despite having worked on it extensively, at the end of the convention Wells refused to sign due to what he viewed as radical features in the final document.

Wells died in San Diego on July 4, 1938, and was entombed in his family mausoleum at Mountain View Cemetery in Prescott.