from Kentucky – A History of the State, Perrin, 1884
Christian County
Captain Darwin Bell
Among the many hospitable and genial men of Christian County, there are none to be found more companionable that the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He was born, January 1, 1828, in the first house reared in Christian county, Kentucky, where James Davis made his pioneer settlement. His father, Dr. John F. Bell, was born in Orange County, Virginia, in 1796; removed to Christian County, Kentucky, in 1810, where he died in 1878; he was a prominent physician of extensive information, and in his life amassed a fine property. Dr. John F. Bell was the son of Captain John Bell, a Revolutionary soldier of Orange County, Virginia, who died in 1805, at the age of sixty-eight years. Captain John was the son of William Bell, of Orange County, where he died. William was the son of John Bell, who emigrated from Ireland in an early day. Subject’s mother, Catherine B. Bocock, daughter of Douglas and Mildred Bocock, of Albemarle County, Virginia, was born in 1805, and died in Christian County, Kentucky, in 1838. To her and her husband, Dr. John F. Bell, were born: Elizabeth M., John H., subject, Evelina M. (Quarles), Fannie S. (Henry), Cincinnatus D., Catherine B. and Mary A. (Henry). Subject was married, December 28, 1857, to Miss Mary W., daughter of Charles H. Meriwether, of Albemarle County, Virginia, and to them have been born: Catherine E. (Manson), Gilmer M., Margaret (Williams) and John F. Captain Bell’s educational advantages were of the best that the county afforded, and he has continued his habits as a student, having a fine and extensive library, until he is regarded by others as one of the best posted men in southern Kentucky. At the age of eighteen years, in 1847, Mr. Bell enlisted in Company A., Texas Rangers, Chevallier’s Battalion, at San Antonio, and entered General Taylor’s army, and remained in service until July, 1848, when he was mustered out at Camargo, Mexico. In 1861 he entered, as Lieutenant, Company A., 1st Kentucky Cavalry, and was soon promoted to the rank of Captain, which position he held until the end of the late war.
Categories: Family Stories
