Lloyd M. Bell

As printed in 1912

LLOYD M. BELL.

In Lloyd M. Bell, well known and capable editor and publisher of the Ccnterburg Gazette, we have a public-spirited, progressive citizen, belonging to the somewhat rare class that direct and control public sentiment without pushing self forward and without incurring the ill will of those with whom they come into contact, and leave the impress of their strong personality indelibly stamped upon the community, winning the good will of all classes.

Mr. Bell was born on March 8, 1871, near West Carlisle, Coshocton county, Ohio. He is the son of Stephen and Julia (McKee) Bell, the father a native of Knox county and the mother of Coshocton county, Ohio, she being the daughter of George McKee, a member of the Ohio Legislature at one time and also a soldier in the Mexican war. The father was a farmer and was long a resident of Coshocton county. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Disciples church. His death occurred in January, 1902. The mother is still living, making her home with the son, Lloyd M., of this sketch. These parents were representatives of sterling pioneer families who assisted in the early development of this locality.

Lloyd M. Bell spent his youth on the farm and be attended the country schools. When he was twelve years old the family moved to Croton, Licking county, and there he remained for thirteen years and completed his public school education, later attending the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed with much success for a period of five years in the rural schools of Licking county. In

April, 1896, he came to Centerburg, Knox county, and purchased the Centerburg Gazette, an independent newspaper which, under his able management, fields a potent influence in this locality. He has greatly increased its circulation. improved its mechanical appearance and rendered it much more valuable as an advertising medium, keeping its columns filled with crisp, important news of the day and its editorial page is ably and convincingly set forth.

Politically, Mr. Bell is a Democrat and he has been active in public and party affairs. He has been a member of the Democratic county executive committee, and a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions. He is a member of the county board of elections and in 1910 he was candidate for county treasurer of Knox county. Something of his high standing in his own township will be seen from the fact that he received there a majority of two hundred and seventy-six votes, in a Republican township, a record unprecedented in the political history of the county.

Mr. Bell was married on October 20, 1898, to Gertrude Hasson, daughter of Marvin F. and Hattie (Rinehart) Hasson, an influential Centerburg family. To this union two children have been born, Rusler H. and Hattie Louise.

Fraternally, Mr. Bell is a member of the Masonic order and the Clinton Chapter and Kinsman Council of Mt. Vernon. Also a member of Hawthorne Lodge No. 228, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Disciples church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Bell uses his paper for the encouragement of all measures looking to the general good of Centerburg and adjacent community and be fields a wide influence in this respect.

As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.