Robert Bell, eldest son of Hannah (née Finch) and John Bell, senior, was named after his paternal grandfather. Robert Bell was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and moved with his family in fall 1817 to Richland County, Ohio, where they settled in Blooming Grove Township.

Robert Bell was married three times—

• Robert Bell and Louisa Fletcher were reportedly married in 1826, probably in Richland County.* The couple's son was George Fletcher. Louisa died in 1832.

• Robert Bell and Maria (surname unknown) were reportedly married about 1833, probably in Richland County.* The couple's six children were: Catherine, Ezra, John, David, Louisa A., and Mary Amanda. Robert and Maria Bell moved in 1837 from Ohio to Steuben County, Indiana, and Robert Bell entered land the following year in Steuben County's Salem Township. Maria died in 1853.

• Robert Bell and Susan Ellison were married on 27 April 1854 in Steuben County. (Susan (née Butler) was the widow of William Ellison.) Her five children with Robert Bell were: Daniel, Junius, Charles Sumner, Robert M., and Susan H.

Robert Bell died 25 February 1871 on his farm in Salem Township, Steuben County, at age 67. His widow Susan Bell survived until 1917.

Notes

* Richland County, Ohio, marriage records, volume 2 (about 1825 to 1833) is no longer extant.

"John Bell, eldest son of Robert Bell [...] married Hannah Finch [...] To her marriage with Mr. Bell seven children were born in Belmont county, namely: Robert, who moved to Steuben county, Ind., where he died [...]" (Bio. of David S. Bell in: A. J. Baughman, History of Huron County, Ohio: its progress and development, with biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1909), pp. 402-03.)

"The organization of the county [Steuben] may be considered as dating from June 10, 1837, at which time the Commissioners held their first meeting. At the session of the Commissioners held March, 1838 [...] The first drawing for a petit jury was as follows: [...] Robert Bell [...]" (Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana (Chicago: Baskin, Forster & Co., 1876), p. 289.)

"Robert Bell, of Steuben County Indiana" obtained on 20 Aug 1838 the patent for 73.85 acres, the eastern half of the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 38 North, Range 12 East, Steuben Co., Indiana (image of patent).

"A class of the M. E. [Methodist Episcopal ] church was organized at the house of Robert Bell, on section 4, in 1838. The first members of that class, so far as remembered, were: Robert Bell and wife [...]" (Description of Salem Township in: History of Steuben County, Indiana (Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1885), p. 735.)

1830 U.S. Census, Plymouth Twp., Richland Co., Ohio; p. 5 (written).
[21.] Robert Bell.
• Household of four persons: male and female aged 20-29, boy and girl under age 5.

1850 U.S. Census, Salem Twp., Steuben Co., Indiana; dwelling 1055, family 1055, lines 1-9, p. 392 (written), 30 Oct 1850.
1. Robert Bell, 47, farmer ($2,500), Oh.
2. Maria -----, 36, Oh.
3. George -----, 19, Oh.
4. Catharine -----, 16, Oh.
5. Ezra M. -----, 14, Oh.
6. John -----, 12, Ia [Indiana].
7. David -----, 9, Ia.
8. Louisa -----, 3, Ia.
9. Mary -----, 1, Ia.

1860 U.S. Census, Salem Twp., Steuben Co., Indiana; dwelling 545, family 559, lines 19-27, p. 75 (written), 26 Jun 1860.
19. Robert Bell, 57, farmer, Ohio.
20. Susan -----, 35, house keeper, Vermont.
21. David -----, 18, farm laborer, Indiana.
22. Louisa -----, 13, Indiana.
23. Mary -----, 11, Indiana.
24. Daniel -----, 5, Indiana.
25. Junius -----, 3, Indiana.
26. "Abraham" -----, 4/12, Indiana. [Charles?]
27. Thomas Allman, 22, laborer, Ohio.
• Susan Bell's daughter from her prior marriage, Harriet Jane Ellison, was enumerated in the township in household of Henry Butler, Susan's brother.

1870 U.S. Census, Salem Twp., Steuben Co., Indiana; dwelling 24, family 26, lines 5-13, p. 171B (printed), p. 4 (written), 6 Jul 1870.
5. Robert Bell, 67, farmer, Ohio.
6. ----- Susan, 43, keeping house, Vermont.
7. ----- Daniel, 15, farmer, Indiana.
8. ----- Junius, 13, Indiana.
9. ----- Charles, 11, Indiana.
10. ----- Robert, 8, Indiana.
11. ----- Susan, 4, Indiana.
12. Ira Richards, 17, farm laborer, Indiana.
13. Elizabeth Van Pelt, 15, dom. servant, Indiana.
• Robert Bell owned land worth $6,000, and had personal property worth $850.

Will of "Robert Bell of Steuben County in the State of Indiana." "I give and bequeath to my five eldest children Catherine, Ezra, John, Louisa, and Mary [...] my wife Susan Bell and my five youngest children to wit: Daniel, Junius, Charles Sumner, Robert and Susan [...]" 23 Feb 1871; proved 25 Mar 1871.

"Departed—Another of the very few remaining pioneers of Steuben County has dropped the mortal for the immortality which worldly life takes little thought of. Robert Bell Esq., died at his late residence in Salem Township in this county on Saturday morning, February 25th 1871, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Bell came to this county in 1837, and settled in Salem, on the place he has since lived to the time of his death. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county [...] Mr. Bell was for forty-four years prior to his death a very worthy and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a consistent Christian [...]" (Robert Bell obit., Steuben Republican, Angola, Indiana, 8 Mar 1871, p. 3, col. 3.)

A Methodist congregation was organized in Salem Township, Steuben County in 1839. Among the original members were: Robert and Maria Bell, and "Mrs. Susan Bell, who was then Miss Susan Butler." (Steuben Republican, Angola, Indiana, 19 Sep 1900 p. 1 col. 5.)

Reviewed 27 June 2023.