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


JOSEPH A. BELL

Joseph A. Bell,  general manager of Logan's drug store at Wheeling, 
one of the most important business establishments of that city, is a 
native of Pulaski township, Lawrence county, Penn.  He is one of the 
third generation of his family in this country.  His paternal 
grandfather, Thomas Bell, a native of Ireland, was a pioneer of 
Columbiana county, Ohio.  His son, Hugh, the father of the subject of 
this mention, married Ann J. McMillan, daughter of the Rev. Dr. 
McMillan, a gentleman of Scotch descent, who was one of the pioneers 
of the Western Reserve of Ohio, and was a clergyman of that section 
for many years, connected with the Presbyterian church, of which all 
his brothers were also clergymen.  Joseph A. Bell was born February 
14, 1845, and was reared in Mercer county, Penn., where he received 
an education in the common schools, until the age of fourteen years, 
when he was thrown on his own resources.  He then became an 
apprentice at the trade of harness making, and in that became 
proficient by the time of the outbreak of the civil war.  On May 26, 
1862, he enlisted under the second three months' call, in Company B, 
of an Ohio regiment, and served out his time, receiving an honorable 
discharge.  Four months later, May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, 
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regiment Ohio National Guard, for one 
hundred days' service, and was honorably discharged August 27, 864.  
He then became a book-keeper for a house in Youngstown, Ohio, but 
soon afterward came to Wheeling, here he was book-keeper for George 
W. Taylor until 1867.  He then removed to St. Paul, Minn., and was 
there engaged in the dry goods business until 1869, when he returned 
to Wheeling, and became book-keeper for Logan, List & Co., and held 
that position through various changes of the firm until March 15, 
1887, when he became a partner under the firm style of Logan & Co.  
Dr. Logan died in October 1, 1888, and on the first of the following 
February the company was reorganized under the name of the Logan Drug 
company, of which Mr. Bell was chosen general manager.  As a citizen 
he occupies a high place in the estimation of the community, and in 
business he is enterprising and successful.  He is a member of the 
First Presbyterian church, of the Young Men's Christian association, 
and of the Grand Army, and in politics is a republican.  He was 
married in April, 1867, to Clara, daughter of James Hassan, of Cecil 
county, Md., who died in 1869.  In 1877 he wedded Emma Hassan, sister 
of his deceased wife.   


(Linda Fluharty)