Alfred E. Bell, a well known farmer of the Ninth District, was born February 10, 1836, in Sumner County, the sixth of nine children of Patton and Jane (Gilbert) Bell. The father was born in Sumner County in 1808, of German descent. He was a farmer by occupation. His death occurred June 10, 1884. His grandparents came from Germany. His grandfather attained the unusual age of one hundred and six years. Mrs. Bell was born February 18, 1804, near Petersburg, Va., and came to Sumner County with her parents about 1820, and married April 28, 1827. The subject of our sketch married, November 22, 1855, Emeline C. Cline. To this union seven children have been born: Mary Jane, Amanda (now Mrs. Rutledge), Alfred P., Charley J. (deceased), Ellie Louisa (now Mrs. Garrison), Willie F., Jessie M. and Ada K. After marriage our subject purchased a farm of 150 acres near the Kentucky line. In 1865 he moved to the Third District, and farmed rented land for two years. He then came to present place of residence, and bought fifty acres, to which he has added until he now owns 300 acres of valuable land, well improved. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted and was elected captain, in which capacity he served through the campaign. He took part in the battle of Shiloh and many other severe contests. He was captured at Scottsville, Ky., and taken to Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie, September 25, 1863. He was retained there until June, 1865. He is a life-long Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He is a prosperous agriculturist and esteemed citizen