MELVIN BELL, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, February 9, 1843; the son of Robert and Susannah Bell, who came to Sangamon county in the fall of 1830, where they resided until their death. The subject of this sketch received a common school education at South Fork, under the instruction of now Doctor, H. O. Bolles, of Springfield, and was married October 12, 1865, to Rachel Martin, who was born in Sangamon county, now Cotton Hill, September 4, 1845. About two years after they were married, Melvin was thrown under a wagon returning from Springfield, and had his right leg broken which crippled him for life. They have had four children, William J., Alice N., Otis A., and a son who died in infancy. He owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, which is a part of the old homestead, and is in a good state of cultivation, and worth $50 per acre. In politics he is energetic, and is always found in the Democratic ranks.