JOHN ALEXANDER BELL, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was bom in Scotland about 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Steele) Bell, who died in that country. John A. Bell immigrated to America in 1853, and thence to Canada West, where he remained four years with his brother. While there he learned the machinery moulders' trade, and returned to Buffalo, where he worked at his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty first Regiment, New York Volunteers, and served two years as corporal of his company. He was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, after which he re-enlisted in Company I, New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the knee at the battle of Batch's run, and again in the shoulder at Petersburg. He was sent to the hospital in 1864, and remained there until mustered out of service in 1865.
After the close of the war he resided in Buffalo until 1871, when he moved to Olean and remained until 1877, thence to Fort Smith, Ark., where he engaged in farming for one year; thence to Kansas, and in 1883 came to Bradford township, McKean Co., Penn. , where he has since resided.
In 1872 he married Miss Emma A., daughter of William S. Morris, of Bradford township, and they have one child, Elmer Julian.
Mr. Bell is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Union Veteran Union of Bradford; also of the Machinery Moulders' Union. His wife is a member of the Free Methodist Church and of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of DeGolier.
