Harvey S. Wells was born around 1840 in Pennsylvania to Israel Wells and Catherine Butts. His father was a clerk who owned at least $300 of personal property. Wells grew up and attended school in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, before beginning work as a carriage maker. He enlisted in the Union army on October 24, 1861, and mustered in as a quartermaster sergeant in Company F of the 84^th Pennsylvania Infantry later that day.

 

The regiment took part in the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the Battle of Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. In January 1863, he insisted that he was "still a good Democrat," but he denounced Democratic politicians' opposition to Abraham Lincoln's administration. He was promoted to 1^st lieutenant on February 19, 1864, and he mustered out on September 5, 1864. Wells returned to Pennsylvania after leaving the army. He married Caroline Baxter, and they settled in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He died on July 23, 1892.  

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