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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published by Mills & Company in 1883.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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THOMAS H. B. BELL. One of Lincoln township’s most substantial farmers, and one of the early settlers of Jasper county, is the subject of this sketch; post-office Golden City, on section 30. Our subject was born Nov. 26, 1830, in Cole county, Mo. He is the son of William and Mary Bell, who are natives of Virginia, and moved to Missouri at an early date. Of twelve children, Thomas is the eleventh child; he was reared and educated in Cole county, and remained at home working on the farm until 1863. He then went to St. Louis and drove a team for the Adams Express Company until Feb., 1867. He was married to Eliza Fabens. Sept. 13, 1861. In 1867 he moved to Henry county, Mo., where he rented a farm with his brother. He then bought his present fine farm and located on the same. Mrs. Bell died June 12, 1869, leaving two children, whose names are James B. and Margaret E. Mr. Bell was again married to Ann J. Wilson. Aug. 27, 1876, in Baltimore, Md., and went on his wedding tour to the centennial. He remained there about ten days and then returned to Jasper county, Mo. The next year Mr. Bell went to Texas and bought a herd of cattle, and in the fall drove them through to Jasper county, and in 1879 he returned with his neighbors and bought a herd of five hundred cattle and shipped them through to Nevada, Mo. The next year he returned and bought another drove and shipped them to Carthage. Mr. Bell now has 520 acres of land, well improved, has a fine residence and good buildings. The farm is well watered, besides he has wind pumps, and also two good orchards. Mr. Bell has two children by his last marriage, named George and Thomas K. Mrs. Bell is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes an active part in the Sunday-schools. Mr. Bell is a member of the M. E. Church, South, and his well-earned reputation for fair dealing has made him one of the most substantial farmers in Lincoln township, and himself and family are very highly respected.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published in 1883.  For the complete description, click here: Jasper County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Jasper County, Missouri family biographies here: Jasper County, Missouri Biographies

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