Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Bell, John 
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Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

John Bell, a representative of the farming interests of Will county, owning 
and conducting a tract of two hundred and fifty-three acres in Florence 
township, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the farm 
in which he still makes his home, December 3, 1861. His father, David Bell, 
was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, March 16, 1812, and was there reared and 
educated. He learned the carpenter's trade-in his native land, and when a 
young man of twenty-one years, having heard favorable reports concerning the 
new world, decided to try his fortune in America, accordingly, in 1833, taking 
passage on a sailing vessel, which was six weeks in crossing the Atlantic. 
Landing at New York, he there remained for a time and worked at his trade. 
Later he spent some time in Canada and Michigan, continuing his work as a 
carpenter and joiner, and in 1837 he made his way to Illinois, locating at 
Wilmington, where he resided for many years, being there engaged in business 
as a carpenter and contractor. He finally located on a farm on section 30, 
Florence township. This was all wild and unimproved when it came into his 
possession but he developed and cultivated his fields and built a home 
thereon, this being constructed of black walnut, which cost him ten dollars 
per thousand. When he located here few settlements had as yet been made and 
there were many inconveniences to be endured in this frontier region. No wells 
had been dug, the water was bad, and consequently there was much sickness in 
the neighborhood. He had to drive to Chicago, which was their nearest market, 
for supplies, while the products of the farm were likewise hauled to that 
city. Deer and wild game were numerous, so that the family table was always 
well supplied with wild meats. Mr. Bell was a very prominent and influential 
man in his community, taking an active part in the development and improvement 
of this section of the state. He served as school director for many years, 
while he held membership with the Presbyterian church and helped to build the 
first church of that denomination in Wilmington in 1840. He gave his political 
allegiance to the whig party. David Bell was twice married. His first marriage 
was celebrated at Wilmington, January 12, 1843, when Miss Sarah Cook became 
his wife. She was a native of Cattaraugus county, New York, and by her 
marriage become the mother of three children, of whom two are now living: May, 
who was born September 8, 1843, and is now the wife of E. E. Hazzard, a 
resident of Paw Paw, Michigan; and William, who was born March 1, 1847, and 
resides in Manteno, Illinois. The wife and mother passed away July 6, 1855, 
and Mr. Bell then wedded Jeannette McIntosh. She was born in Perth, New York, 
November 8, 1829, and on the 20th of February, 1861, at Wilmington, gave her 
hand in marriage to Mr. Bell. This union was blessed with a son and daughter: 
John, of this review; and Elizabeth, who was born February 23, 1864, and is 
now the wife of Clarence E. White, a resident of Florence township. Mr. Bell 
passed away February 10, 1901, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years, 
while his wife survived for only a brief period, her death occurring April 20, 
1902, when she was seventy-three years of age. They were prominent pioneer 
people of Will county and had aided in securing for it the conveniences and 
comforts which are enjoyed by its present citizens. John Bell, the only son of 
the father's second marriage, was reared to farm life, receiving practical 
instruction from his father in the care and cultivation of the crops. During 
the winter months he pursued his studies in the common schools and thus 
acquired the knowledge which now enables him to successfully conduct his 
business interests. He remained at home until he attained his majority, giving 
his father the benefit of his services until that time. He then started out in 
life for himself by engaging in the occupation to which he had been reared. He 
is now operating a fine farm of two hundred and fifty-three acres in Florence 
township, and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and 
climate, likewise raises stock. He formerly fed and shipped some cattle but 
now makes a specialty of Poland China hogs, raising from forty to eighty head 
annually. In 1904 he erected a modern country residence, this constituting one 
of the fine homes of this part of the state. Mr. Bell was married in 
Wilmington, October 5, 1898, to Miss Mary A. Shipley, who was born in 
Glenville, New York, September 4, 1868, a daughter of James S. and Catharine 
F. (Schuyler) Shipley, the former born in the Empire state, January 1, 1826, 
and the latter in Minerville, New York, August 28, 1846. They were married 
near the latter city, February 28, 1866, and the father followed farming in 
the east until 1880, when he took up his abode in Will county, purchasing a 
farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres in Florence township. Later he 
purchased a second farm, comprising one hundred and eighty-four acres, but in 
1895 disposed of both tracts and removed to Wilmington, where he owns a nice 
home, in which he is now living retired. He has, however, since purchased a 
farm of sixty-four acres south of the village, which is operated by his son, 
William S. He likewise owns a fruit farm near South Haven, Michigan, and from 
his property derives a good rental, which supplies himself and family with all 
the comforts of life. His family numbers two daughters and one son: Sarah; 
Mary A., now Mrs. Bell; and William S., who wedded Susie Millard and is now 
operating his father's farm. Mr. Shipley gives his political support to the 
republican party. Mr. Bell has served as school director for the past six 
years, and, like his father, gives his political allegiance to the republican 
party. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is identified with 
the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to River camp, No. 124. Both he and 
his wife are prominent in the community where they reside, and their own 
beautiful home is a favorite resort for their many friends. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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