FRANCIS BELL

Francis Bell, whose demise occurred on the 16th of February, 1903, was actively identified with the agricultural interests of Cedar county for more than a third of a century, owning a quarter section of valuable land in Inland township. He was born in the town of Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July, 1818, and in early manhood went to Monroe county, Ohio, in which state his parents passed away. The father was an agriculturist by occupation and our subject assisted in the work of the home farm. Subsequently he learned carpentering and worked at that trade in a shipyard on the Ohio river, while later he acted for some years as steamship carpenter on a boat that plied the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He then took up his abode near Perrysville, Indiana, and there resided for five years, devoting his attention to farming.

In 1868 Mr. Bell came to Cedar county, Iowa, arriving in Inland township in the spring of that year. He had made the journey from Indiana in company with his son Albert, driving across the country with a wagon and two-horse team. A few weeks later the other members of his family came here by train. Mr. Bellpurchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inland township and began its further cultivation and improvement, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until the time of his death. His labors in this connection were attended with a gratifying measure of success and he was long numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community. The home farm is still in possession of his two daughters, Sarah and Mary.

On the 18th of September, 1845, in Monroe county, Ohio, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Thompson, whose birth occurred in 1815. Her parents were farming people of Belmont county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born five children, namely: Edward, who is deceased; Albert, now a resident of Oregon; Sarah, living in Bennett; George A., who has also passed away; and Mary H., who likewise makes her home in Bennett. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 18th of November, 1895.

Mr. Bell exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being a firm believer in its principles. He ably served in the capacity of road supervisor but was not an office seeker in the commonly accepted sense of the term. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His was an earnest and consistent Christian life, characterized by stern integrity and honesty of purpose, and he left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name, for his record was not sullied by any unworthy or questionable act.