Thank you very much for your question and response. I have found several documentations on ancestry.com, and also first hand information written by my grandmother in 1960. I am attaching some history from My Genealogy Hound, published by Goodspeed in 1888.
My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in The History of Washington County,
Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888. 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.
* * * *
John B. Bell, M. D., one of the oldest practicing physicians of Washington
County, was born in Salisbury, Wicomico County, Md., December 1, 1827.
His father, Peter Bell, was a native of the same State, and his mother’s
maiden name was Ann Byrd, daughter of John Byrd, of Maryland, who
removed to Washington County, Mo., where he was known as a prosperous
farmer until his death. Peter and Ann Bell had seven children, John B.
being the third son and fourth child. The latter was reared at the place of
his birth until eleven years of age, and in 1838 located in Washington
County, Mo. In 1844 he commenced clerking in a store in Potosi, and in
1849 commenced preparation for the practice of medicine. He read with
Dr. Pope, of St. Louis, and attended lectures at the medical department of
the St. Louis University, where he graduated in 1853. During the late war
he served about three years in the medical department of the Federal army.
For some time the Doctor was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and since
1867 he has been United States pension examiner, having been largely
instrumental in having a board of examiners appointed for the county, of
which he is secretary. He was married to Miss Catherine Castleman, July
13, 1853. She was born in Lincoln Country, Mo., and is a daughter of Louis
and Ann (Dudley) Castleman, who came to this country in 1842. Doctor
and Mrs. Bell have three children: Annie, wife of W. B. Tilghman, of
Salisbury, Md.; Ada Low, wife of Ernest A. Toadvine, also living in
Maryland, and Henry C. The latter is the editor of the Independent, the
only paper published in Washington County. He was born in Potosi
November 5, 1866, was reared in Washington County, and received his
education at the Washington University. He learned the printer’s trade,
and after the death of Mr. Harris, the proprietor, he was selected as a suitable
suitable person to manage and edit the paper, which he has done in a
creditable manner.
* * * *
This family biography is one of 138 biographies included in The History of
Washington County, Missouri published in 1888. For the complete description, click
here: Washington County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
To view additional Washington County, Missouri family biographies, click here
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other
family biographies.
