CAPTAIN J. FULTON BELL, a gallant officer of the Civil war, was born near Jefferson Greene Co., Penn., August 23,1841. His 'father's ancestors in this country were of Scotch descent, and his paternal grandmother was a near relation of Harrod, of Boone county, Ky., fame, hence the bravery and daring of the descendant. The parents of Capt. J. F. Bell were both natives of Pennsylvania, born in Morgan township, Greene county, the father, Levi Harrod Bell, on March 12, 1807; the mother, Sarah Fulton Bell, on July 2, same year. They were married February 2, 1826, and had a family of three sons and ten daughters, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Greenlee (deceased), born August 9,1828; Rachel, born January 4,1831, died September 19, 1837; Jane, born March 15, 1832, died November 2, 1852; Mrs. Elizabeth Galbraith, born March 20,1834, now living in Des Moines, Iowa; Mary, born July 23,1836, died March 22, 1837; Sarah F., born December 31, 1837, married to Col. Hiram Milligan Miller late of the Second Missouri Cavalry, and now in Kahoka Mo.; Mrs. Letticia Reynolds (deceased). born December 1, 1839 (she was a student at Lewisburg (Penn.) Semi nary (Baptist), now Bucknell University, and graduated from same); Capt. John Fulton (subject of sketch); Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, born July 7,1843, now living near Des Moines, Iowa (she was a student at same seminary as her sister Letticia); Isaac, born February 24, 1845, now in Kahoka, Mo.; Mrs. Margaret Anne Shaw, born December 15, 1846, now a resident of St. Paul, Minn.; James McVay, born April 13,1848, residing in Morgantown, W. Va.; and Emma, born July 15, 1850 (deceased). The father of this family died in 1862, in Amwell township, Washington county, and was buried at Mt. Hermon; the mother passed away in 1871 at St. Francesville, Mo., and her remains lie interred near that place. Mr. Levi H. Bell was ordained one of the deacons of Jefferson Baptist Church, and on his removal to Washington county was ordained a deacon of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. Capt. J. Fulton Bell lived near Jefferson, Greene county, until he was nineteen years of age, and in the summer of 1860 he attended George's Creek Academy, Fayette county, Penn. He removed with his father to Washington county in November, 1860, the latter having purchased what is known as the old "Paul Farm," it being a portion of the old "Cook Patent." On August 22,1862, he enlisted at Amity, Washington county, in Company D, One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I., and was promoted June 21, 1863, from the rank of corporal to that of sergeant. On November 1, 1863, he became first sergeant; on July 20, 1864, near City Point, Va., he was commissioned, by Goy. Andy Curtin of Pennsylvania (known as the "War Governor"), first lieutenant. On May 17, 1865, he became captain of his company, in which capacity he remained until mustered out May 31, 1865, near Alexandria Va. Having been promoted from the ranks, he was afterward known as "the boy who went out as eighth corporal, and came back as captain." The regiment in which he served (One Hundred and Fortieth P. V. I.) ranked third in casualties, and was perhaps entitled to the first place in regard to enlistments and length of time in service. On the second day at Gettysburg, near Little Round Top, or "Devil's Den," this regiment lost 276 officers and men in less than an hour, Col. Richard P. Roberts and Capt. David Acheson, senior captain, being among the number. This regiment was in service thirty-three months, and took part in some twenty-five engagements, beginning at Chancellorsville and ending at Appomattox. After his return from the war Capt. Bell engaged in farming (having purchased in 1868 the home farm) and stock raising, of which lie has made a success. On May 6, 1868, the captain was married to Lydia Ross, daughter of Judge Benjamin and Hannah (Johns) Ross, of Huff Creek, Greene Co., Penn., Who were born March 17, 1802, and June 9, 1811, respectively. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Cox (deceased), born September 20, 1829 (she was educated at a school in Chester county, Penn.); Mrs. Rachel Dunn (deceased) born July 7, 1831; Thomas, born October 8,1833 (crossed the Plains to California in 1858); Elizabeth Ann (deceased), born December 2, 1835; Abner, born March 30, 1838 (he is ex-State senator and ex-sheriff of Greene county), Jacob, born July 17, 1849 (he served in the Anderson troops in the Civil war); Mrs. Lydia Bell, born Januaiy 6, 1843; Benjamin F., born November 18, 1846 (he spent several years in the mines of Colorado) ; Nathaniel (deceased), born August 12, 1849; Hannah Maria (deceased), born June 9, 1853; and Heath J., born July 12,1858 (is at present district attorney of Greene county). Capt. Bell and his wife have five children, Benjamin Harrod (was for two years a student of Monongahela College), Sarah Frances (educated at Waynesburg College), now engaged in teaching, Lyda Emma (attending Washington Female Seminary), Abner Ross, and James Franklin. Politically the Captain has always been a Republican, and with the exception of one year has been commander of Philo Paul Post No.458, G. A. R., ever since it was organized, in October, 1884. In 1890 he was enumerator for the second precinct of Amwell township. Capt. Bell is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Washington county, enjoying the record of an honorable career in the service of his country, and he has faithfully discharged his duties of a private citizen in all times of peace. Both the Captain and Mrs. Bell are members of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church (Washington county), as are their three eldest children, the former being elected to the office of Deacon several years ago. On the contemplating of the building of the Waynesburg & Washington Narrow Gauge Railroad, Capt. Bell was a member of one of the soliciting committees to raise money and procure the right of way, and was in a measure successful, subscribing several shares of stock. After the completion of the road he was elected one of the directors and re-elected for two successive terms.

Text taken from page 406 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed August 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published August 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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