He immigrated from Canada in 1870 and became a naturalized citizen.
He is listed at age 64 in 1930 as a widowed carpenter living in Canton, NY with his daughters Grace and Helen.
"Guy was remembered by many people as an exceptionally talented carpenter and builder. As a young man he spent a year or two studying the trade in St. Louis. After his marriage he lived at King Iron Bridge and built many houses and other buildings in and around Canton. I had several of his houses pointed out to me, always attractive and still very much in style. One young cousin was thrilled to learn that her favorite house, a Dutch Colonial, had been built by her great-uncle Guy. People still marvel at the way he could plan a house and order the lumber delivered to the site, all cut to the proper size and ready for assembly, he could cut his rafters on the ground, and have them fit precisely.
Guy’s wife died, leaving him with five children, who were farmed out to various relatives, with Willard going to Ruby Cross. Later Guy moved to Ogdensburg where there was more work, and set up a home where he gathered his daughters together again. He is said to have been of average build, walked with a limp, and been fond of cigars."
[Obituary] Canton Commercial Advertiser - Tuesday 6 Nov 1934, page 1
GUY A. WELLS BUILT MANY CANTON HOMES
DIED SUDDENLY FRIDAY EVENING AT HOME ON PIKE ROAD
Guy A. Wells, builder and contractor of Canton and vicinity for many years, died very suddenly at his home near the King Iron Bridge Pike road, a short distance this village, Friday evening at about 6 o'clock. Mr. Wells had been engaged in concrete repair work at the Hodskin Garage during the day, assisted by Frank Lindley and Clark Wallace. Albert M. Pike, employed at the garage, remarked to Mr. Wells during the day, "Aren't you working pretty hard for a man of your age," or something to that effect. Wells laughed, and said "Oh, I'm all right." The work at the garage was completed at about 4 in the afternoon and Mr. Wells rode to his home where his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Porter WelIs reside. Mrs. Wells was away on a visit to relatives in Rochester and Porter was working on a job at Eben. The house was cold and Mr. Wells started a fire and proceeded to get supper. The son, Porter, arrived home and found his father so engaged. The father remarked that he felt a little faint and seated himself, and Porter proceeded to take him to his bed, thinking he would be better lying down, but before he could do so he passed on.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 Monday afternoon at the home of a son, Willard Wells, Eben, the Rev. Herbert Philbrook Morrell of Canton Theological School officiating. Burial was made at Crary Mills Cemetery.
Guy Wells was born about sixty-nine years ago and lived the greater part of his life in Canton and vicinity. Almost his entire life he was a carpenter and builder and constructed many houses in Canton, Ogdensburg, Massena and Potsdam. He had charge of the building of St. Mary's Rectory in the village of Potsdam many years ago. He built the house occupied by Gerald E. FitzGerald on West Street in 1908 for the late M. G. Brown. He removed his family to Ogdensburg several years ago and was with the Proctor Manufacturing Co. for several years. He came back to Canton and built the J. A. Finnigan home and the Earl M. Butterfield home on West Main Street; built the J. A. Howe house on State Street and the Dr. J. R. Powell home on Judson Street. He was a high class workman and noted for his extreme honesty. It used to be said of him that he was too honest to acquire property, for his contracts were always more than performed. The general opinion is that Guy Wells was the square dealer always.
Early in life Mr. Wells married Katie Eggleston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Porter Eggleston of Potsdam. Mrs. Wells died about fifteen years ago while the family lived at Ogdensburg. Following this they moved to Canton and have lived in this village and vicinity since.
The following sons and daughter; remain: Porter Wells of Canton; Willard Wells of Eben; Mrs. Blanche Durand of Ogdensburg; Mrs. Clarence (Grace) Coryea of Malone and Miss Helen Wells of Potsdam. There is a brother, Harry Wells of Kendrew, and three sisters, Mrs. Wm. Peterson and Mrs. Daniel Cornell of Canton and Mrs. Asa Marcellus of Waddington.
It is interesting that at the conclusion of Mr. Wells work at the Harrington Garage Friday, Albert Pike for whom he has done work for years as a carpenter and builder ask him if he felt like working Saturday, the reply was "Of Course, I do," and he arranged to go to the Pike farm Saturday to work. That evening following his death Charles Strader of Potsdam, for whom he had made an estimate for building a barn, came to the Wells home and said he was ready to sign the contract for the building—It was too late— Guy Wells had ceased building barns!