ISAAC BELLAS, farmer; P. O. Mason City; was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., March 2, 1820; his advantages for a common-school education were fair for those days; several winters he engaged in teaching district schools, and in the summer worked at farming. Before he moved West, Nov. 21, 1846, he married Miss Dorcas Benscoter; who was born in the same county March 17, 1827; they moved to Mason Co., Ill., in April, 1854; he worked by the day, farming, until fall, when he put in a crop of wheat for himself; the next spring, he bought the place where he now resides, in Salt Creek Township; he has never taken any active part, politically, but has held some township offices-twice Assessor, Collector six years, and School Director ten years; was elected Justice of the Peace once, but declined the office; they have had eight children-James, born Oct. 8, 1852; Dyson B., born Jan. 17, 1853, died April 1, 1862; Susanna E., born May 5, 1857; Sarah A., Dec. 28, 1860, died April 8, 1869; Mary J., born Aug. 7, 1863; Ross, Feb. 25, 1866; Rosa A., Nov. 19, 1868. He owns a nice farm of 120 acres; is a Republican, and belongs to the Order of Red Men, in Mason City.

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