[1] He was appointed postmaster of Newark in July 1855 by Franklin Pierce, and re-appointed by James Buchanan in 1856.

[1] He resigned when he was elected later in 1874 to Ohio Secretary of State, defeating incumbent Republican Allen T. Wikoff.

[2] Bell was appointed Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs in 1878 and served two years.

In 1881, he was elected from Franklin County to the legislature and served two years in the 65th General Assembly.

[1] Bell was married to Lizzie O. Ochletree, of Newark, on January 1, 1856.