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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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W. M. A. BELL, farmer, post office Buena Vista, is the son of Thomas and Mary (McCalister) Bell, who came from Cumberland county and settled in Pittsburgh in 1810. The father was a boat-builder, and died in 1825. Their family consisted of eight children. W. M. A., the fourth child, was born in 1813, in Pittsburgh. He learned the hatter’s trade, and in 1836 moved to Washington county, where he carried on the manufacture of hats for about two years; then returned to Pittsburgh and engaged in the lumber business until 1845. He then located in Westmoreland county, in the mercantile and coal business. In 1850 he went to California and embarked in the steamboat business on the Sacramento river, and in 1855 settled on his present farm, where he has since resided. In 1839 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Margaret (Stewart) McFadden, of Washington county. They have five living children: James M., a banker in Pittsburgh; Mary, now Mrs. Caleb Greenwalt; Ella, now Mrs. James Secrist; Laura, now Mrs. Isaac McCalister; Thomas, at home. Mr. Bell and most of his family are members of Dravo M. E. Church; James M. and Laura are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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