James T. Bell

BELL, SHANNON, IRVING

Posted By: Marthann KohlFuhs (email)
Date: 3/22/2009 at 15:14:02

JAMES T. BELL, one of Audubon County's pioneer teachers, has devoted twenty years to his chosen profession, and many a youth owes his success in life to the early impressions made by the zeal and energy which Mr. Bell manifested in his noble calling. This venerable teacher was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1827, and is the oldest son and second child of William and Martha L. (Shannon) Bell, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his native county and received a common school education. He began his career by teaching one term in his own county. He then drifted west, and in 1855 stopped in Garnavillo, Clayton County, Iowa. He continued to reside there until 1874, when he removed to Audubon County, and soon after began teaching. He closed his last term in March, of the present year, 1889. On May 4, 1861, he entered the Union army, joining the Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was assigned to Hannibal, Missouri, and there guarded the Hanibal & St. Joseph Railroad during the first summer. The following fall he was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, and was ordered from that point to St. Charles, where he guarded the North Missouri Railway at different points for one winter. His regiment was then sent to make up the expedition of the Tennessee River, General Grant commanding. He took part in the engagement at Blue Mills, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and was ordered to Moscow, Tennessee; and was then ordered to Moscow, Missouri, guarding there the Memphis & St. Charles Railroad. In the following spring he went to Memphis, and from that place passed to Vicksburg, and was in the siege from May 18 to July 4. Thence the regiment was ordered to Natchez, after which he was sent to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was honorably discharged in June, 1864. Returning to Clayton County he remained there until 1874, when he went to Audubon County, as before stated. Soon after coming to the county Mr. Bell bought eighty acres of land to which he has added until he now owns 240 acres, all fenced and under good cultivation. Mr. Bell was married in March, 1888, to Mrs. Irving, a native of the State of New York. She came to this county in 1883, having previous to this time lost her former husband, James F. Irving, by whom she had one son, Frank F. Irving. Mr. Bell has served as township clerk three terms, and as trustee one term.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 715-716