Joseph Turturici Bell, LL. B., one of the successful legal practitioners of the day in Pittsburgh, came to this country when a young lad from the Island of Sicily. He is a son of Michael Turturici and Rosa (Dimatteo) Bell, both members of old Sicilian families. Michael Turturici Bell brought his wife and children to the United States in 1891, locating first in Brownsville, Pa., removing thereafter to Connellsville, then not long afterwards settling permanently in California, same state. During his active business career he was a fruit dealer, and having been very successful, is now retired.
Joseph T. Bell was born in the town of Trabia, Sicily, Province of Palermo, Italy, and attended the schools of his native town for about six months before coming with the family to this country. He attended the public schools of Brownsville for about one year, and those of Connellsville for about six months, then continued his studies in California, this State. When he had completed the public school course, he entered the Pennsylvania State Normal School in the town of California, meanwhile assisting his father in his fruit commission business, and was graduated in 1904. Choosing the law as a profession, he then entered the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh) from which he graduated in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, the period of his attendance covering the date when the name of the institution was changed. He was admitted to the Washington county bar in 1908, practicing in Washington, Pa., for two years, then coming to Pittsburgh was admitted to the Alleghany county bar in 1910. Since that date he has built up a very large practice, and is considered one of the prominent attorneys of the day.
Mr. Bell is a member of the Pennsylvania State and Allegheny County Bar associations. Politically he is a staunch supporter of the Republican party. He is interested widely in the progress of his fellow-countrymen in the United States, and is a member of the Sons of Italy. He has one brother and three sisters, Ralph, Pricilla, Mary and Catherine, all residents of California, and all are unmarried.
From: History of Pittsburgh and environs : from prehistoric days to the beginning of the American Revolution, by Fleming, George T. Published 1922.
