Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 770.
 
JUDGE WELLS A. BELL

     a prominent and successful attorney at law, now residing at Prineville,
Oregon, was born in Benton county of the same state on April 22, 1872. His
father, Matthew H. Bell, crossed the plains as early as 1852, making settlement
in Benton county. He married Elizabeth C. Wells, who also crossed the plains to
Oregon in 1852. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the early
schools of his native county and then entered the college at Corvallis. In 1890,
he went east and completed his literary training in Monmouth college, Illinois.
Then he entered the Oregon law school and in 1894, was graduated with the degree
of Bachelor of Laws. In the same year he located at Prineville and commenced
practicing. For ten years he has continued steadily in this field, winning
splendid success. His standing in the community is of the best and he is
esteemed as a leading citizen. Mr. Bell has been a thorough student during his
life which, added to his natural ability, makes him a professional man of merit
and standing. Among his colleagues he is recognized as a forceful and keen
lawyer, devoted to the interests of his clients and a hard fighter. He has won,
step by step, a fine practice and presaging the future by the past, we may look
for even much greater things from Mr. Bell. He was deputy prosecuting attorney
for the seventh judicial district from 1894 until June, 1904, when he was chosen
judge of Crook county.
     In 1895, Mr. Bell married Effie D. Vanderpool, who was born and raised in
this county. Her parents are William and Elizabeth (Templeton) Vanderpool,
pioneers to Crook county. Two children have been born to our subject and his
wife Payne C. and Don A.
     Judge Bell is a member of the K. P. and the W. W.and the Maccabees. He and
his wife are leading members of society, are devoted supporters of everything
that tends to build up this county and are highly esteemed people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.