My Genealogy Hound

Col. M. L. Bell, attorney, Pine Bluff, Ark. The profession of law is, perhaps, as momentous and important a calling as can be found, and he who takes upon himself legal practice assumes as weighty responsibilities as the confidence of his fellow men can put upon his shoulders. It is a branch of human endeavor which brings into play the most brilliant talents, the most extensive knowledge, the strongest sentiments, moral, spiritual, material, and its power for good or evil is vast and invincible. As a lawyer whose honor is above criticism, whose ability places him in the front rank, and whose name is known and respected throughout the State, that of Col. M. L. Bell shines as a star of the first magnitude in the firmament of Arkansas law. He was originally from Wilson County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on July 27, 1829, and is the son of Robert D. and Elizabeth C. (Roane) Bell, the father a native of Mecklenburg County, N. C., and the mother of Wilson County, Tenn. The Roane family were of Irish origin, and early settlers of North Carolina, Rowan County of that State being named in their honor. There were two brothers, Archibald and Hugh Roane, who were born in Virginia. Archibald was the second Governor of Tennessee, and Hugh is the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was a prominent agriculturist, and died in Nashville, Tenn., as did also Archibald. Robert D. Bell was a successful tiller of the soil, and this occupation he carried on all his life, having died when only forty-eight years of age. The mother died in 1846. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are now living: Marcus L., Harriet (wife of Dr. J. G. Bridges, of New Middleton, Tenn.), Mrs. Sophronia Penick (resides in Alabama), Mrs. Mary B. Nelson (widow, residing in Pine Bluff), and John S. Bell (of Pine Bluff, Ark.). Col. M. L. Bell became familiar with the details of farm life in early boyhood, assisting also in cultivating tobacco, and received his education in the Cumberland University, of Lebanon, Tenn. While attending school the death of his father compelled him to abandon his studies. In 1849 he came to Little Rock, Ark., entered the office of Gov. John S. Roane, then Governor, and an uncle of his, and was the Governor’s private secretary for four years. At the same time he studied law under E. H. English, a distinguished lawyer, and for several years chief justice of the State. In 1852 he was licensed to practice, and in April of the following year he located at Pine Bluff, where he has been in practice ever since. He is now a member of the firm of Bell & Bridges. In 1862 he enlisted and was appointed captain in the adjutant-general’s office, served under Gen. Hindman, and was transferred to Texas under Maj. Gen. Sam. B. Maxey, where he served as chief of staff until the close of the war. He was first married in 1852, to Miss Juliet Roane, who died in 1877, and in 1878 he married Mrs. Ellen Lee, by whom he has three children: Marcus L., Jr., Robert D. and Charles N. Col. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Episcopal Church, and Col. Bell has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for ten years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Commandery, and is also a member of the K. of P. He owns 1,500 acres of land, with 600 acres under cultivation, and has considerable town property. He was for some years engaged in milling under the firm title of Bell & Bocage, and also in the foundry business. He has been a Democrat all his life, was elector for the State on the Tilden ticket in 1876, has been a delegate to all the State conventions, and is one of the most prominent lawyers in the State. He was attorney for the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas Railroad. He lost very extensively during the late war, and since by fire, but still has a good fortune. Col. Bell is a self-made man, and has won a name that will linger in the hearts of the people for many years to come.