IRA BELL, a prominent citizen of section 28, Missouri township, Brown county, was born in this township, October 27, 1830. His grandfather, Robert Bell, was a native of Virginia, and married Jane Anderhan. These two reared a family of nine children, namely: James, Richard, Emily, Ira, John, Patsey, Sarah, Catherine, Rebecca, and they all came to Illinois, settling in Brown county, after a residence of a short period in Morgan county. The aged grandfather of our subject died in Brown county, surrounded by his children. The father of our subject was born in the State of Virginia, February 5, 1800, and was married in Morgan county, Illinois, to Elizabeth Mullen, coming to Brown county after marriage where he settled, and entering land in Missouri township. This he improved and finally became the owner of a farm of 200 acres of very fine land. He died February 13, 1882. His wife died in 1836, having been the mother of six children, namely: Mary Jane, wife of Moses Coffman, of Quincy, Illinois; Robert of Missouri township; Ira, our subject; James died at Nashville, Tennessee, was a member of the Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Lizzie, wife of John Carter, of Kansas; John W., died in childhood.
Ira was reared in Missouri township, where he helped on the home farm until he was married when he settled on forty acres given him by his father and erected a dwelling on it. Soon he added another forty and then removed to his present residence, where he has eighty acres of land. The land was but little improved when he took charge of it and it owes its present state of cultivation to his efforts.
Mr. Bell was married to Emiline Bates, daughter of William and Elizabeth Bates. Mrs. Bell is a native of Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, born January 1, 1837. Her father was born in Kentucky, near Lexington, and was a son of Thomas Bates. He was reared to farm life in his native State, but migrated to Indiana, where he married Elizabeth Carr, a native of that State, born in 1818. They came to Illinois in 1835, residing in Scott county until 1839, when they came to Brown county, where the father died. His wife still survives him, however, and is a very interesting lady. She and her husband had five children: Emiline, Mathew T., Francis M., Mary A. and Sarah Jane.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell have five children: Mary E., wife of Peyton R. Keith; John W., of Missouri township; George D., of same township; James A., at home; and Charles Bertie also at home.
In politics Mr. Bell supports the principles of the Democratic party, but his time is so fully occupied that he has not been willing to accept any of the public offices, except that of School Director, which office was thrust upon him. He is a consistent member of the Christian Church and he and his intelligent wife are influential members of society in Missouri township.