From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 218-219.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN M. BELL

John M. Bell, a venerable and respected citizen of Wheeling, has 
passed his life in the region to which these volumes are devoted.  
Born in Jefferson county, Ohio, May 7, 1814, he was taken by his 
parents to Beaver county, Penn., when three years old, but returned 
to Jefferson county at the age of fourteen.  He is the fourth of ten 
children born to Robert and Prudence (Donnell) Bell, the former of 
whom was a native of Ireland. Both parents are now deceased.  When 
eighteen years old John M. Bell engaged in teaching, and followed 
that profession in all twelve or fourteen years.  He taught several 
terms in Ohio, a few of them at Steubenville, and then bought the 
Jefferson seminary, at Wellsburg, W.Va., of which he was principal 
and proprietor about 5 years. At the end of that time he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, at Wellsburgh first, and afterward at New 
Martinsville, W.Va., remaining at the latter place sixteen years.  In 
1865 he removed to Moundsville, where he was engaged in business 
sixteen years, and during that period, served on the city council, 
and during one term was mayor of the city.  At his previous place of 
residence he held the office of justice of the peace several years.  
Mr. Bell removed to Wheeling in 1882, and since 1883, has been the 
proprietor of a first class bakery at No. 1114 Market street.  Mr. 
Bell has been influential and highly esteemed in each of the 
communities in which he has lived.  Though at an advanced age, he 
bears his years very well, as longevity is the characteristic of his 
family, his grandmother having lived to be one hundred and five years 
old, and his maternal grandmother surviving to the age of one hundred 
and seven years. Mr. Bell was married December 3, 1835, to Agnes 
Melissa Walker, who was born in Greencastle, Penn., the daughter of 
James and Jane Walker.  She died December 24, 1874, leaving one 
child.  September 14, 1875, he was married to Minnie C. Wallace, 
daughter of Joseph and Nancy Wallace, and by this marriage he had one 
child, Grace E. V., who was born September 3, 1880.  Mrs. Bell is a 
member of the Presbyterian church, her husband of the Christian 
church.  In politics Mr. Bell was a republican, voting for Henry 
Clay, and W. H. Harrison, and he has been a republican since the 
organization of that party. 


(Linda Fluharty)