My Genealogy Hound

JOHN BELL, M. B., M. D., President of the Benton Harbor Improvement Association and a successful physician and surgeon residing in this city, was born in Milton, Halton County, Ontario, Canada, September 25, 1840. His father, Joseph Bell, was a native of England, who emigrated to Canada in an early day and there followed the occupation of a farmer. Subsequently he came to Benton Harbor, where he resided until his death, in June, 1888. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Teetzel, is a native of Canada, and now makes her home in Benton Harbor.

Under the careful training of his parents our subject grew to a stalwart manhood, meantime enjoying such educational advantages as were offered by the schools of Canada. At the age of nineteen years he commenced to read medicine with Dr. Freeman, a prominent practitioner of Milton, Halton County, Ontario. Later he entered the medical department of the University of Toronto and attended one year. The following year he was a student at the University of New York City and graduated there in 1860, with the degree of M. D., after having completed the course with honors. During the following year he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Toronto, receiving the degree of M. B. (Bachelor of Medicine). His advantages for acquiring a theoretical knowledge of medicine were the best obtainable, and he availed himself to the utmost of every opportunity presented for gaining additional knowledge. This thorough education, together with diligent reading and close observation, laid the foundation for the success which has attended his efforts in the medical world.

In April, 1862, Dr. Bell came to Benton Harbor, where he has conducted a general practice in medicine and surgery to the present time. In 1889, he aided in the organization of the Benton Harbor Improvement Association, of which he has since been President. He maintains a deep interest in everything relating to the profession and is a member of the American Medical Association. Socially, he is identified with Lake Shore Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is Master, and Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 56, at St. Joseph. In December, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Annetta, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Dickinson) Hopkins, of Trumansburgh, N. Y.

By setting before his fellow-citizens an example of industry and honesty of purpose, the Doctor has a present as well as a future influence upon his community. He is a man whose influence may always be relied upon to support those measures calculated to benefit his fellow-citizens. Through energy and perseverance he has arisen to a foremost position among the physicians and surgeons of Michigan, and alike in social and professional circles is held in high esteem by all with whom he is brought in contact. In politics he is a Republican.