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William L. DeBell, a resident of Winslow Township, was born in Taylor, Cortland Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 1838. His father, Charles DeBell, Jr., was born in the same county, and the grandfather, Charles DeBell, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, while his father was a native of France, and came to America before the Revolutionary War. He settled in Massachusetts, but removed to Cortland County at the time of its early settlement, where he improved the farm and there died. The grandfather died in Cortland County, and the father of our subject came to Illinois in 1856, and settled in Stephenson County, where he lived until 1865. In that year he moved to Iowa and settled in Delaware County, where he spent the remainder of his days. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Julia Hecker, also a native of Cortland County, N. Y., in which county she died.
The subject of this sketch was but eighteen years of age when he came to Stephenson County, and here he lived with his parents until his marriage, which occurred in 1866, to Amanda Ware, who was born in Taylor, Cortland Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of David Ware. To them have been born two children, whose names are Arthur E. and Jennie L. Soon after marriage Mr. DeBell removed to the State of Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1870, in which year he returned to Winslow Township, where he has since resided.
Contributed by Carol Parrish
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