Background
Wells was born in Schenectady, New York, to Joel Wells and the former Susan Bellows.
Wells was born in Schenectady, New York, to Joel Wells and the former Susan Bellows.
He was educated in the Schenectady public schools.
During the American Civil War, Wells enlisted as a private in Company G of the Eleventh Louisiana Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant Major and then lieutenant. He joined Shelly"s Battalion when the Eleventh Infantry was mustered out.
He then united with the Houston Battalion as a major.
Wells was twice married. In May 1861, Wells wed the former Ellen C. Lewis of Rapides Parish in central Louisiana.
Prior to the Civil War, Wells served as district attorney in Catahoula Parish in eastern Louisiana. After the war, he settled in Lake Charles to practice law.
In 1878, he was elected to the Louisiana State Senate from the district composed of Calcasieu, Cameron, Vermilion, and Saint Mary parishes.
He served only until 1880. Two senators then represented the four parishes, one being the later Governor and United States. Senator Murphy J. Foster, the grandfather of future Louisiana Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Junior., of Saint Mary Parish. He was also a Mason and a district deputy grand master of the lodge.
He died in Lake Charles and is interred there in Orange Grove Cemetery.