The founder of this family, James Bell, with his wife and children, emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania, about 1807, where they remained until 1818 or '19, when they moved to Circleville, Ohio, where both James Bell and his wife died, a few years after their arrival. Their children were: William, Nancy, Jane, Margaret, Thomas, Mary Ann, James, and Elizabeth.

William Bell was born in Ireland, August 13, 1802, and when about five years of age came with his father and mother to this country. He was married November 29, 1825, to Catharine Caldwell, daughter of Alexander Caldwell, who settled in Pickaway county, about 1800.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bell had eight children, seven of whom lived to maturity. They were: James, Jane, Alexander, Ruth, Thomas, Margaret, and Carolina Samantha. They lived one year on a farm now owned by Mr. Groce, in Walnut township, where their eldest child was born. Then then moved to the Columbus pike, in the south part of Walnut township, where the remainder of their children were born, and where Mr. Bell died, April 30, 1851. Mrs. Bell remained in her own home until 1875, when she went to live with her son, A. C. Bell, in the north part of Circleville township. She is now seventy-seven years of age.