Isaac Bell

As printed in 1902

ISAAC BELL.

When a man passes away we look back over the life ended and note its usefulness — its points worthy of emulation and perpetuation. What Isaac Bell did for his fellow men might in a manner be told in words, but in its far-reaching influence cannot be measured. He assisted in laying broad and deep the foundation on which to rear the superstructure of Knox county's present prosperity and progress. Through a very early period in its improvement and advancement he was an important factor, and was also connected with the broader interests which had to do with the welfare of the commonwealth.

Isaac Bell was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1829, and was brought to Knox county when he was about one year old. His first home in the county was in Morgan township and he was educated in such old subscription schools as were taught in log houses in the day of primitive things, and almost from childhood had daily experience of the practical work of farming. Meeker Bell, his father, was also born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and when a boy of eight years was brought to Ohio by his parents. Later he returned to Pennsylvania, where he married Rachel Crane. In 1830 he came again to Ohio and settled in Morgan township, whence he removed later to Clay township, where he died in his eightieth year. He was a Democrat in his political views, was a member of the Christian church and in every sense was a citizen of influence and importance. Rachel Crane, who became his wife, was born and reared in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and died at the family home in Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio, at the age of eighty-eight years. She was one of those noble, self-sacrificing women whose name to the present generation is an incentive of well doing. Meeker and Rachel (Crane) Bell had three sons and three daughters.

Isaac Bell, their eldest child, when twenty-one years old, removed to Illinois, where for about a year he herded cattle on the plains of Iroquois county. Later, until 1850, he drove cattle from Illinois to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they were marketed at that time, which was long before the establishment of the great packing interests at Chicago. In 1850 he returned to Knox county and resumed farming. After his marriage he located on a farm three-quarters of a mile south of the present homestead, removing to this place in 1867. The home farm consists of one hundred and eighteen acres and he also owned another farm, of forty-seven acres, in the southern part of the same township. For seventy-two years he made his home in Knox county, much of the time in Clay township, and he witnessed the development of that part of the country from a state of nature to a fertile farming district. He also became prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party.

In March, 1853, - ''''is united in marriage to Mary A. Elliott, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Charles and Phoebe (McWilliams) Elliott, formerly of Pennsylvania, but early settlers of this county. This union was blessed with two daughters: Jennie, who married Allen McLain and resides in Morgan township; and Emma, who became the wife of Terry Ewart and is now deceased. At her death she left a son and daughter, Guy and Edith. For many years the former has been a member of the

Bell household, where he is treated with all the respect due a son. Mr. Bell finally closed his eyes in death, and the entire community mourned the loss of one of its trust and best loved pioneers. He was popular in the social life of his neighborhood, a faithful friend, a kind husband and father and a consistent Christian, and he left behind him an untarnished record.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.