Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Bell, Major Francis Marion November 15, 1826 - ????
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Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

MAJ. FRANCIS M. BELL,
who made a splendid record as an officer during the civil war, served for
nine years as postmaster at Tyrone, and is now engaged in the grocery
business in that city, is a son of John and Margaret (Johnson) Bell, and was
born near Spruce Creek, Centre county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1826.  John
Bell (father) was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, but emigrating to
America in early manhood, located in Centre county, Pennsylvania, and passed
the greater part of his life in Spruce Creek, that county.  In later life he
removed to Molesburg, same county, where he died, in 1836.  He was a
merchant, and accumulated considerable property.  He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and always active in support of the various
interests of his church, serving as steward and class leader for a number of
years.  He married Margaret Johnson, by whom he had a family of seven
children: James, deceased; Mary Jane; Johnson, also dead; Francis M., the
subject of this sketch; Margaret Ann, deceased; Washington Irving; and one
now dead. 
      Maj. Francis Bell was reared on a farm, in Centre county, this state,
and received his education in the common schools of that early day.  After
leaving school, he engaged in farming for a time.  In 1845 he removed to this
county, and six years later located where Tyrone now stands, being here when
the first house was built.  He soon embarked in general merchandising, and
followed that business successfully until the breaking out of the great civil
war.  When echoes from the opening thunders of that gigantic struggle
reverberated among the hills and along the valleys of the old Keystone State,
the latent patriotism of her people flamed up, and the spirit of military
ardor which had slept for years suddenly stood forth as in revolutionary
times.  Among the peaceful citizens who woke to find the blood of soldiers
coursing through their veins, and were quickly transformed into the finest
volunteer army that ever marched to the tap of a drum, was Francis Marion
Bell. He sacrificed his business for love of the stars and stripes, and
regardless of financial inducements, of the tender ties binding him to home
and friends, became a member of Co. D, 3d Pennsylvania infantry, and was
immediately elected and commissioned as lieutenant of his company. He served
with that company for three months, and then went to Harrisburg with one
hundred and forty-six men, most of whom he had recruited, and enlisted in the
125th Pennsylvania infantry, being commissioned captain of Co. A, of that
regiment.  With that rank he served during the term of the enlistment, and
when the company was mustered out of the service, Captain Bell immediately
re-enlisted in the 46th infantry, and was at once elected and commissioned
major of the regiment. With his command he participated in the battles of
Falling Water, Antietam, Chancellorsville, South Mountain, and numerous minor
engagements and skirmishes. The division with which he served was hurried
forward as reinforcements at the Battle of Fredericksburg, but arrived on the
ground too late for actual participation in that contest.  After the downfall
of the Confederacy and the discharge of Mr. Bell from the service of the
United States, he returned to Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of the
great corporation known as the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, being stationed
at Tyrone, where he served in various capacities, and finally became
baggage master at that place. He remained with the railroad company for a
period of fourteen years, and in 1876 resigned his position to become
postmaster at Tyrone, to which office he had been appointed by President
Hayes.  He served acceptably as such through two administrations, and for
more than a year after the close of his second term.  In 1885 Major Bell
engaged in the grocery business in Tyrone and has continued in that line ever
since, meeting with good success, and now controlling a large and prosperous
trade.
      Major Bell married Mary Davison, a daughter of John Davison, of Tyrone.
To this union was born a family of eleven children: John A.; William and Ella,
deceased; Harry F., married and resides at Tyrone, and is a brakeman on the
Pennsylvania railroad; Beverly W., deceased; Anna, at home; Asbury W., dead;
Jane G., Carrie and Elsie, living at home with their parents; and one which
died in infancy.
      Politically, Major Bell has always affiliated with the Republican
party, and in the main has given that party an unqualified support on all
measures of public policy, especially on questions relating to the protection
of American industries.  In local affairs he has sometimes chosen to exercise
a greater degree of independence.  He as served as a school director,
assessor, and member of the council of Tyrone, and in these positions, as in
all the relations of life, has conscientiously discharged his duty, and won
the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Christy Stiles

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