James Bell is the fifth generation of his family line of Bells to live in Uruguay. He is a dairy farmer and is married to Angela Dickinson, an Anglo Argentine. They have three children, Stephanie, Jessica and Duncan. James operates a farm in the Department of Colonia. He is most proud of his Scottish heritage and the accomplishments of his ancestors who have lived in Uruguay for more than 150 years.

The first Bell to settle in the River Plate area was George Bell. A Buenos Aries newspaper "The Standard" ran an interesting story in 1930 about the early business ventures of George Bell (founder of the House of Bell in Uruguay) and two generations of his descendants, a portion of which appears below.

"The name of George Bell and Sons is well known throughtout the country for the variety and quality of merchandise, the firm is handling, chief among which are timber, all kinds of ironmongery and materials for construction and building in general. It was during those early days for pioneers under the Rosas régime that Mr George Bell arrived from England at these hospitable shores with but scant knowledge of what the future held in store for him, yet filled with enthusiasm and confidence ,thoroughly determined to do his due share towards the building up of this country´s and his own prosperity. As every beginning has its difficulties, so naturally he had his, but British pluck and perseverance which were inherent qualities of his, overcame in the end all the obstacles that had made progress so hard at the start. In 1843 he opened business in calle Moreno and afterwards moved to calle Defensa 649 - 657, where business at present is carried on, struggling, enduring, but never disheartened and in this way laid the foundation of the future great firm of Jorge Bell e Hijos his able and loyal son later on assisting the father in the commendable task of accomplishing that which he had set his mind to do. And their united efforts met with reward so well merited. In Montevideo, Uruguay, he started a branch of his commercial house in partnership with Mr. Thomas Drysdale, a very well-known merchant of this city, the firm becoming known by the name of Bell and Drysdale.

Mr George Bell died in 1870, having faithfully devoted his life to the furtherance of his business ramifications, thereby adding to the valuable ties which unite the two countries Great Britain and the Argentine commerce. On his decease his first-born Mr. James Watson Bell continued in conjunction with his sons to carry on the work and the inheritance left him by his father and at the same time became known as a true philanthropist, by generously supporting the many benevolent institutions which existed in this country. He was a "perfect gentleman" in every way this word implies, and when at the advanced age of 78 years he died in February 1917, many were the friends who regretted his loss.

The present day partners of the firm are Messrs. George A.J.Bell, president, Frederick N.M.Bell, Charles T.Bell and Ernest D.Bell all grand-children of the founder of the house, who carry on the work of their grandfather and father in the same spirit as when the business was originated. In October 1919, the firm which so far had been a private concern, changed its character in so far as it became a Limited Liability Company, but Messrs. Bell continue to enlarge their businesses and holdings and augment their operations year-in, year-out and turn-over of their transactions has reached very considerable proportions. They possess great ware-houses, a large saw mill, while the head establishment is in Defensa 649 , from where the whole of the huge business is directed. Mr. R.M.Thomas an old and valuable assistant of the firm of many years duration stands as vice president of the Company, at the head of the local directory, guiding the fortunes of the house with singular ability and industry.

James Watson Bell (2d generation of Bells) purchased a large property in the Department of Colonia which he farmed with great prestige, including the breeding of award winning cattle and horses. . His younger son Ernest (Jame’s grandfather and 3^rd generation of Bells) operated the farm until 1938 when it was sold to pay debts associated with the family’s failing merchandising business. Ernest Bell married Jane McCulloch and their youngest son Ralph (4^th generation of Bells) married in 1947 Lasca Gebbie, an Anglo Argentine. They had two children, James and Madeleine, the fifth generation of proud Bells in Uruguay. Madeleine is married to Albert Fischer, and they have two sons, Eric and Patrick who both currently reside in the United States