HARRY E. BELL, editor and proprietor of the White Hall Weekly Register, was born on the 12th of February, 1873, in Belltown, Greene county, and is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, although the family was established in America at an early epoch in the colonization of the new world. The Bells resided in Virginia and the Carolinas, belonging to the Jamestown colony in the former state. Later representatives of the name removed to Tennessee. The great-grandfather of Harry E. Bell was Francis J. Bell. The grandfather, John J. Bell, was born February 17, 1823, and married Emeline Morrow, who was born December 9, 1818. His death occurred January 1, 1875, and his wife passed away on the 23d of September, 1860. It was their son, Finis E. Bell, who became the father of Harry E. Bell. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary McFarland, who was a granddaughter of Reuben and Margaret (Moore-Robinson) McFarland. The McFarlands were also of Scotch-Irish lineage and resided in the south when this country was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Houston C. McFarland, the father of Mrs. Mary Bell, was born October 15, 1818, and died in 1866. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Robinson, was born December 10, 1822.

Harry E. Bell, well known as a factor in public interests in White Hall, extering strong influence in behalf of general progress and improvement there through the columns of his paper, spent his early youth in Belltown, where he attended the village school until fifteen years of age. He afterward entered the high school at White Hall, where he pursued a three years' course from 1888 until 1891 and was then graduated. At one time he attended Dixon Business College. Soon afterward he began teaching, which profession he followed for six years at Batty, Barrow, Berden and White Hall. In the last named place he was principal under Superintendent C. H. Andrews, who had been principal at the time of Mr. Bell's graduation. It was while serving as principal that Mr. Bell was elected, in 1898, county superintendent of schools, which position he filled until 1902. In June of the latter year he purchased the White Hall Register, an old county newspaper, from the firm of McFarland & Presgrove, and has since conducted this journal successfully. While serving as county superintendent he was recognized as one of the best officials that had ever acted in that capacity in Greene county. He was defeated for re-election because of his inexperience in political management, but he felt that it was more creditable to attend to the duties of his office rather than to neglect them in seeking for a second term. His course proved uniformly satisfactory and under his guidance the schools of the county made satisfactory progress. In the conduct of the Register he is displaying good journalistic talent, editing a paper which has secured a large circulation and which is also a good advertising medium.

On the 23d of October, 1895, Harry E. Bell was married to Miss Stella Chapin, the only daughter of Wesley C. Chapin, the venerable police magistrate of White Hall. The Chapins are of Puritan ancestry, being able to trace their lineage back to the Mayflower. The grandparents of Mrs. Bell were Abel J. and Rhoda (Hart) Chapin. The former, born July 26, 1807, died December 21, 1894. The latter, born April 13, 1810, died April 21, 1885. Wesley C. Chapin was born in Conesus, New York, December 15, 1837, and is one of the old and honored citizens of Greene county. He is an uncle of Dr. Chapin, who was born on a farm at Conesus, New York, and is now a resident of Greene county. Wesley C. Chapin came to White Hall in 1864. He has followed merchandising and farming and he has wielded a wide influence in public affairs. He served as justice of the peace for sixteen years, proving a most capable officer. He was also assessor of his township for nine years and was supervisor for twelve years. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, his entire official service being characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. He married Miss Lucy Adams, who was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1842, a daughter of Joel and Fidelia (Cranoll) Adams, the former born April 25, 1801, while the latter was born October 29, 1807, and died April 29, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Wesley C. Chapin had three daughters, but Florence died at the age of five years; and Lavonia died in infancy.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bell was celebrated in White Hall, where they have always resided and where they have many warm friends. Mrs. Bell acquired her education in the public schools of this place. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bell has ever been an unfaltering advocate of Democratic principles and is a warm admirer of William Jennings Bryan. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity at White Hall and also of the Modern Woodmen camp. His interest in his town and county is deep and sincere and is manifested through his championship of many measures for the general good and his advocacy of many movements which have already proven of practical benefit to White Hall.