A. J. Bell
A.J.Bell, attorney at law, Millersburgh, is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, born April 20, 1826. His father, Alexander D. Bell, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 8, 1803, and was the eldest of thirteen children of Nathaniel and Catharine (Dallis) Bell. In 1815 this family settled in Holmes County, on a quarter-section of land near the town of Holmesville, now owned by Thomas Everly. Alexander D. Bell married Irena Fairchild, a native of New Jersey, born November 27, 1803, and only daughter of John Fairchild, a volunteer soldier, who died while in service in the War of 1812. Alexander D. and Irena Bell had a family of eight children, whom they reared till they became of age, their names being as follows: Andrew J., Nathaniel D., Catharine A., Alexander C., Louisa E., Lucinda K., Dennis D., Mary E.; six of them are yet living. The father led the quiet life of a farmer, and was respected by all who knew him. He died June 30, 1878; the mother died May 30, 1878.
A.J. Bell was reared on his father's farm, near Holmesville, remaining at home until twenty years of age. He obtained a good education, and for fourteen winters and eight summers taught public schools in Holmes County. In 1860 he began the study of law with Hon. D.S. Uhl, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar of Ohio. He has since that time been in the active practice of his profession, and has risen to a prominent position among the attorneys of his county. He has held several official positions, and has proved an efficient, trustworthy officer, enjoying the respect, esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, townsmen and the members of the Millersburgh bar. He has served as county recorder four and a half years, and for two years was deputy probate judge under the first probate judge of the present Constitution of Ohio. He also served the public nine years in succession in Millersburgh as justice of the peace. He has been a notary public continually since he was twenty-one years of age, is now holding that office, and has done more conveyancing than any other man in the county in the last forty years. He is a Democrat, and has been prominent in the councils of the party in Holmes County.
Mr. Bell was married in 1858 to Miss Lucinda McKee, who was born October 11, 1833, and reared on her father's farm five miles south of Millersburgh, and to them have been born three children, who all attained to ages of majority, and two of whom are living: William A., married to Miss Edith Frederick, of Canton, Ohio, and Homer A.; both sons are now residing in Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Bell and their two sons are Disciples of Christ, and members of the Christian Church.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889