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         DR. JOHN BELL, Jr., now deceased, was born in Montgomery, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1820, and was a son of Dr. John Bell. He was educated in his profession at the District Medical College of Ohio, and later attended a course of lectures at the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, from which institution he was graduated. He first engaged in the practice of his profession at Palmyra, Warren Co., Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1837, settling in Mt. Pleasant. Later he removed to Columbus City, Louisa County, and in 1844 went to Wapello, where he was one of the leading physicians and surgeons. He performed the operation of the exesion of a bar of lead from the stomach of L. W. Bates, at Wapello, Jan. 3, 1854. The lead had been swallowed on Christmas Day, 1853, and was removed in the presence of Drs. I. M. Robinson, T. G. Taylor, John Cleaves, J. H. Graham, Crawford and Thomas S. Bell; of that number only two are yet living, Dr. Graham . . .

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. . . and Dr. Bell. At that day the operation was considered an extraordinary feat in surgery, and is largely quoted in medical reports.

On the 27th of November, 1847, Dr. Bell was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Key, and five children were born of their union: George Key, who was born March 9, 1850, and for four years served as an army surgeon, wedded Mary Taylor, and lives in Davenport; Ida Rebecca, born Jan. 2, 1851, died Aug. 29, 1853; John H., born Sept. 26, 1852, died Sept. 3, 1853; Lucius, born Dec. 23, 1854, died on the 29th of the same month. Mrs. Bell died Dec. 28, 1854. The Doctor was again married, Miss Sarah Choser becoming his wife. In 1874 he left Wapello and removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he resided until 1878, at which time he went to Texas, locating in Dallas, where he practiced his profession until his death, which occurred Feb. 4, 1888.

During the late war Dr. Bell enlisted in the service of his country, and was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 9th Iowa Cavalry. On account of the faithful discharge of his duties he was appointed Surgeon, Feb. 18, 1865, but was mustered out of the service on the 2d of March following. For many years the Doctor was one of the prominent residents of Wapello, Iowa. He was a skillful surgeon, ranked high in his profession, and as a citizen none were more highly respected.