Thomas H. Bell

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887

SURNAMES: BELL, RICHMOND, SMITH

THOMAS H. BELL, one of the self-made men of Newcomb Township, was born in Madison County, Ohio, Feb. 8, 1845, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (SMITH) BELL, natives of the same county, where the father died in June, 1848. The parental household included six children, of whom Thomas H. was the fifth. He resided in his native county until seventeen years of age, and until after the outbreak of the late war. He then enlisted as a Union soldier in Co. A, 113th Ohio Vol. Inf., and served three years. At the battle of Kennesaw Mountain he was badly wounded in the head, but finally recovered and resumed his place in his regiment.

After the close of the war, in the spring of 1866, Mr. Bell came to Illinois, stopping in McLean County a short time, and thence went to Kansas. Afterward he returned to Ohio, and after a brief stay in Madison County, finally settled in Tazewell County, Ill., where he lived six years, and in the spring of 1875 came to Champaign County, locating in Newcomb Township, where he purchased a tract of land and commenced its improvement and cultivation. He is now the possessor of 180 acres with good buildings and valuable farm machinery, and in both his agricultural and business operations has been eminently successful. He is regarded as a good citizen and worthy member of the community, and is contributing his share toward the development and progress of this section.

Mr. Bell was married in Tazewell County, Ill., Dec. 31, 1868, to Miss Jane RICHMOND, a native of that county, who was born Oct. 26, 1849. Of this union there have been born six children—Norah, Benjamin, Laura, Harvey, Bessie and James. Mrs. Bell departed this life in Newcomb Township, Jan. 11, 1887. Our subject is Republican in politics, and takes an interest in general and local affairs.