Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed., 1887,
Shelby Co.

CAPT. JOSEPH N. BELL, postmaster of Shelbyville, was born in Scott County,
Ky., February 21, 1837, and is a son of James and Mary Jane (Wilson) Bell,
natives of Fayette and Scott Counties respectively.  In July, 1861, Joseph
N. enlisted in Company E, Fourth Kentucky Regiment (Breckinridge's
brigade), Confederate Army, but was transferred to Rice E. Grave's battery,
who was with Gen. Buckner at Fort Donelson.  He was in the battles of
Stone River, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Ringgold Gap, Resaca and many
other smaller engagements.  He was severely wounded at Stone River, was
twice taken prisoner, once confined in Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Ind.,
from which place he made his escape.  He was captured at Mount Sterling on
Morgan's last raid through Kentucky, and made his escape from a railroad
train at LaGrange, Ky., while being conveyed to prison.  He was promoted
to a lieutenancy, and then to a captaincy, at Murfreesboro, for meritorious
conduct, and at the end of the war returned to Scott County to his farm.
In 1868 he removed to Shelby County, and engaged in farming until 1873,
when he settled in Shelbyville, and engaged in buying and selling live
stock.  February 1, 1886, he superseded Camden W. Ballard as postmaster of
Shelbyville.  May 10, 1866, he married Miss Mary Barbour, of Jefferson
County, and four children have been born to them: Richard W., F. Hunter,
Joseph and Joshua B.

Bell Wilson Barbour Ballard
=
Scott-KY Jefferson-KY Mt._Sterling-Montgomery-KY LaGrange-Oldham-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/shelby/bell.jn.txt