BELL, GEORGE HARRY, one of the most capable and trusted of the locomotive engineers of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, located at Beardstown, was born in California, November 12, 1878, a son of William F. and Maria J. (Simpson) Bell, the former born in Illinois January 31, 1851, and the latter in California. The father was an engineer and butcher, who went to California when nine years old and was married in that state. He lived there for a few years afterward, and then returned to Illinois, locating in Brown County.

George Harry Bell was reared in Brown County, Ill., and educated in its public schools. He came to Beardstown as a fireman for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and earned his promotion to engineer by hard work and steady habits. He owns his residence at Beardstown, and stands well in the public esteem. In politics he is independent. For some years he has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Reared in the Methodist Church, of which his wife is a member, he gives it his support.

On November 23, 1905, Mr. Bell was married at Clayton, Mo., to Elnora M. Briggs, born in Kansas, May 27, 1882. A history of the Briggs family is given in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are the parents of one son, Harvey V., who was born at Beardstown, May 23, 1907. Mr. Bell is a very sociable, kind-hearted man and is not only highly regarded by his employers, but also by his fellow workmen.