Bennett D. Bell was born in Sumner County in 1852. In 1873 he graduated from Emory and Henry College, then studied law at Cumberland University, graduating in 1878. The following summer he was elected Attorney General of the Ninth circuit, and after eight years returned to practice his profession. In 1900 he was appointed to the judgeship of the Ninth circuit to fill the unexpired term of Judge Mumford, deceased. In 1902 he was elected the same office, and continued to fill that position until August 1908, when he was elected to the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Judge Bell is a nephew of the late General Tyree Bell of the Confederate army.