James Bell (Australian politician)

Bell was born at Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, the son of James Bell, a store-keeper, and his wife Ann (née Turnbull).^[3] Bell emigrated to Victoria in 1857, commenced business at Dunolly and was one of the first representatives of the district,^[4] mayor from 1862 to 1865.^[3]

In 1881 the Reform Act included Dunolly in the North West Province. He accepted office without portfolio in the Duncan Gillies-Alfred Deakin Government on 20 April 1886, and acted as Minister of Defence during Sir James Lorimer's absence in England, in 1887. He also assisted Mr. Dow in discharging the duties of Minister of Water Supply during Mr. Deakin's attendance at the Colonial Conference in London in that year. On the death of Sir James Lorimer, in September 1889, he was appointed Minister of Defence, and retired with his colleagues in November 1890.^[4] Bell remained in the council until May 1904.^[2]