Edmund W. Wells
| Edmund W. Wells | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Associate Justice, Arizona Territorial Supreme Court | |
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In office March 1891 – March 1893 |
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| Nominated by | Benjamin Harrison |
| Succeeded by | John J. Hawkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 14, 1846 Lancaster, Ohio |
| Died | July 4, 1938 (aged 92) San Diego, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Rosiland Gertrude Banghart |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | Church of Christ, Scientist |
Edmund William Wells (February 14, 1846 – July 4, 1938) was an American jurist, businessman, and politician. Known as "Arizona's first millionaire", he was considered the richest man in Arizona during his attempt to be elected Governor. He served as Attorney General for Arizona Territory before being appointed as a judge. He also served as a member of Arizona's constitutional convention.
Wells was born to Edmund William and May Louise (Arnold) Wells on February 14, 1846 near Lancaster, Ohio. In 1852, his family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where he attended public schools. 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 senior Wells was appointed alcalde by Governor John N. Goodwin while the younger Wells worked a series of clerk positions. 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. In 1870, Wells was elected county recorder and he also served as United States commissioner from 1871 to 1875.
Wells married Rosiland Gertrude Banghart on October 5, 1869. The couple had six children, one who died in childhood. As a result of the marriage, Wells became the brother-in-law to newspaperman John H. Marion and to Governor Oakes Murphy. The Wells were founding members of Prescott's First Church of Christ, Science.
Wells was admitted to the bar in 1873, having studied the law under Justice William F. 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.
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