Early Career
Wells was admitted to the bar in 1873, having studied the law under Justice Turner. This was followed in 1875 with his election as Yavapai county attorney. The year also saw Wells form a law partnership with John A. Rush. The law practice operated until 1887 when Wells developed eye problems forcing him to get rest. As a result of the eye problems, he dissolved his law practice with Rush and effectively stopped practicing law.
In addition to his legal practice, Wells developed interests in cattle ranching, mining, and real estate. In 1882 he purchased a portion of the Bank of Arizona, a firm he served as vice president of from 1883 till 1911 and as president from 1911 till 1928. The growth of these business interests were such that Wells was occasionally called "Arizona's first millionaire" and by the time the territory gained statehood he was believed to be the richest man in Arizona.
In 1879, Wells was elected as a member of the Council (upper house) in the 10th Arizona Territorial Legislature. He earned a second term on the Council in 1883 when he was elected to the 12th Arizona Territorial Legislature. During the administration of President Chester A. Arthur, Wells was appointed an Assistant United States Attorney. In 1887, he served on commission that helped revise territorial statutes.
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