JOSEPH BELL traces his ancestry to one George Bell, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, who was there married and reared a large family. In the latter part of the last century, George Bell, and a neighbor, Mr. McDonald, came with their families to Allegheny county, Penn. They had previously intended to locate on the present site of Pittsburgh, but being dissatisfied with the country in that vicinity came down the Monongahela river until they arrived at the first large branch, Chartiers creek, which they followed to Mansfield. The two families then separated, the McDonalds moving west and the Bells ascending the Chartiers. The latter pioneers finally located on a large tract in the vicinity of Canonsburg, this county, where George Bell passed his life in forming the foundation of a home for his descendants. He was one of the first members of the Seceder Church in Washington county. Joseph Bell, a son of this hardy pioneer, was born in 1767, in eastern Pennsylvania, and passed his youth on the home place. In early life he was united in matrimony with Elizabeth Sharp, and the young couple soon afterward moved to Beaver county, where they purchased a farm, and reared the following children: John, Mary, Robert, James, Keziah and Joseph. The father was a Whig in politics, and in religion was formerly an active member of the Seceder Church, afterward uniting with the Associate Reformed. He passed the last years of his life at the home of his son in Columbiana county, Ohio. Robert Bell, father of subject, was born May 5, 1801, in Beaver county, Penn., and remained on the home place during his boyhood. In early life he was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of James Tornes, and she bore him five children: James, Robert, Eliza, Jane and Joseph. Mr. Bell when a young man learned the cooper's trade, which he carried on in connection with farming. He was very well educated for those days, having had the advantage of an academic training, and was an energetic and progressive citizen. In politics he was originally a Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He was a member and trustee of the U. P. Church. On September 26, 1870, Mr. Bell was accidentally killed. Joseph Bell, the subject proper of this memoir, was born January 2, 1835, in Beaver county, Penn., and received his elementary instruction in the common schools, afterward attending the academy at Murdocksville and Paris, Penn. He commenced teaching at the age of seventeen years, a profession he followed with eminent success until he was thirty-five years of age. In 1870 he began the practice of dentistry in Florence, this county, continuing in that profession there fifteen years; then opened an office in Pittsburgh, where he practices. After a time he moved to Burgettstown, this county, and here has his residence. On January 8, 1859, he was united in marriage with Agnes, daughter of Adam Reed, of Beaver county Penn., who bore him two children: Annie and William. Mrs. Bell died January 10, 1870, and on March 14, 1871 Mr. Bell married Mary, daughter of Martin Tucker. They have had two children: Martin F. (deceased) and Mary A. Our subject has attained eminence in his chosen calling, and enjoys a large and lucrative clientage, his success being due entirely to his ability as a dentist and courtesy as a gentleman. He is a member of the U. P. Church, and has been trustee of his church several years. Politically he is an active Republican.

Text taken from page 910 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]