John Bell (June 19, 1796 – May 4, 1869) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio for two months in 1851, filling a vacancy created by his predecessor’s death.

Life and career

Born in Pennsboro, Pennsylvania, Bell received a limited education. He moved to Ohio in 1810 with his parents, who settled in Greene County, near Xenia. He moved to Lower Sandusky in 1823 and served as mayor in 1830. He was the probate judge of Sandusky County for several terms.

Bell was commissioned a major general in the state militia in 1834 and commanded Ohio forces in the Toledo War the next year.

He served as postmaster of Lower Sandusky from November 14, 1838, to May 3, 1841. He served as member of the state house of representatives in 1844 and 1845. He served as mayor of Fremont, Ohio, in 1845 and 1846.

Bell was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Amos E. Wood (January 7, 1851 – March 4, 1851).

Death

He was a probate judge from 1852 to 1855 and again from 1858 to 1863. He died in Fremont, Ohio, on May 4, 1869, and was interred in Oakwood Cemetery (Fremont, Ohio).

Sources

• United States Congress. "John Bell (id: B000339)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress