Listed as a teacher while living with his parents in 1880.
Oscar was an attorney in Fairview (Guernsey Co), Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar in 1886.
...from "Portrait & Biographical Record of Guernsey Co, Ohio" - published 1895
OSCAR V. WELLS, attorney-at-law in Fairview, has gained an enviable reputation for his legal ability, sound judgment and sterling integrity. During the years that he has practiced before the Bar of Ohio, he has become eminent as a counselor, often in cases involving interests of great magnitude, and has acquired more than local renown on account of his scholarly attainments, his thorough knowledge of law and his devotion to the interests of his clients. Mr. Wells was born in Noble County, this state, May 10, 1861, and is the son of John and Ann E. (Flnley) Wells, also natives of the above county. The father was the son of James and Mary (Scarborough) Wells, both of whom were born in Fayette County, Pa. There the grandfather departed this life in 1851, and three years later his widow and the younger members of the family came to Ohio and located in Noble County, where Mrs. Mary Wells died in 1864. John Wells, our subject's father, was the tenth in order of birth of his family. In the year 1860 he married Ann E. Finley, and they continued to make their home in Noble County until 1873, when they removed to Oxford Township, Guernsey County, where the father had purchased a farm, to the cultivation of which he thereafter gave his undivided time and attention. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of the parental family of six children, of whom Homer A. is engaged in business in Cambridge, this state; Cora F. is the wife of William Turkle, also of Cambridge; and the remainder are Jessie M., Joseph D. and Minnie D., at home.
Oscar V. Wells received his literary education in the excellent institutions of Fairview, and on leaving school began studying law under the instruction of Judge J. N. Campbell and F. L. Rosemond, and later with Judge Nathan H. Barber. He was admitted to the Bar to practice in 1886, and since that time has resided in Fairview, where he has built up an excellent and paying patronage. For several years he has been Secretary of the Pennyroyal Reunion, held in Oxford Township.
Mr. Wells was married August 6,1891, to Mary, daughter of James and Nancy (Hutchison) Wallace. The lady was born August 17, 1869, in Guernsey County, where she was given a fine education, and is the possessor of many accomplishments.
In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat, and in religious affairs he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always been an active and public-spirited citizen, faithful to her interests, and as an attorney has not a superior in the county. Mr. Wells has held various offices in the village and township, and twice ran for Prosecuting Attorney of the county against great odds in favor of his opponent.

Was administrator of the estate of Rebecca Wells Cline, his aunt, in 1903.
Listed in 1900 as Oscar H. Wells, a lawyer (38, OH) married 8 years with his wife and mother-in-law (no children).
He is listed in the 1910 census of Cambridge, OH as O. V, Wells, a lawyer (46, OH), with his wife Mary (39, OH) and an adopted daughter Mary E. Wells (14, OH).

~~Fri, Feb 11, 1910 | Daily Jeffersonian (Cambridge, OH)
"At the Wells home, on South Twelfth Street, a reporter was informed that Mrs Wells was not home by a young woman answering the door. When asked as to the whereabouts of Mr Wells, the young woman said that she knew nothing of him. She stated that Mr Wells had left home, Tuesday, February 1st, telling his wife that he was going to Columbus on business. On the following Thursday, the young woman said Mrs Wells received a letter from her husband in Columbus stating that he was taking treatment for his nerves. She said she did not know when Mr Wells would return and did not think Mrs Wells knew."

~~Sun, Mar 13, 1910 | Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH)
"Accuse Lawyer - Charging that Oscar V Wells, an Attorney of Cambridge, absconded on February 1st with funds."

~~Thu, Jun 09, 1910 | Daily Jeffersonian (Cambridge, OH)
SALE OF REAL ESTATE IN BANKRUPTCY
The undersigned trustee In bankruptcy of the estate of Oscar V. Wells will offer by private sale, at competitive bidding, at the office of George D. Dugan, Esq., Referee in Bankruptcy. Cambridge, Ohio, on Saturday, June 11th, 1910, at 1 o’clock p.m. certain real estate of said bankrupt, to-wit: Undivided one-half of 32-acre farm two miles from Cambridge, on National Road, appraised at $2:
Lot on South Eleventh street, Cambridge, appraised at $1600
Lot 7, Iron & Hutchison's addition. Cambridge, appraised at $1600.
Lot 1, Smith & Woodworth's addition. Cambridge, appraised at $250.
Lot 26, Cain & Dilley's addition, East Cambridge, appraised at $75.
Lot. 9, Suburban addition, East Cambridge, appraised at $75.
Lot 17, Block B, Maple Heights addition, Caldwell, Ohio, appraised at $75
33 acres in Washington township, Hocking County, Ohio, appraised at $300.
Undivided half of part of lots 31, 32 and 33, Improvement Company addition, Cambridge. Ohio. Each will be offered free from debts, and for cash.
JAMES W. BELL, Trustee as aforesaid.
Fred L. Rosemond, Atty.

~~Mon, Jul 18, 1910 | Daily Jeffersonian (Cambridge, OH)
"Bar Association and County Commissioners - made resolutions for reward for the capture and conviction of O V Wells, a fugitive from justice in Guernsey County."

~~Sat, Aug 31, 1929 | Daily Jeffersonian (Cambridge, OH)
"Oscar V Wells, of Fairview, practiced law in Cambridge for a number of years, and, after building up what was regarded as a successful practice, disappeared and left a serious financial tangle and his family behind him.

What became of him has never been authoritatively learned.