He was born in Mississippi either in 1826[2] or 1828/9.[1]
Bell enlisted with the 5th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery in November 1863 joining Company L and was made sergeant after serving just a month.[1] A few months later in June 1864 he deserted.[1]
He was a member of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors in 1870 and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1871 serving one session from 1872 until 1873.[1][3]
He had been elected as a Radical and had been accused by legislator C. F. Norris of bribing member of the Radical party to support him.[4]
He stood for Sheriff of Hinds County in September 1873 as the Republican nominee,[5] but lost to William Jefferson who ran as an independent.[6]
Later the same year he was made major of the Hinds County militia.[7]
He was tried in 1885 for attempting to poison his niece but his defense claimed it was only love powder "to kindle the ardent passion in her breast".[8]