Background
Bell, Robert Cook was born on November 1, 1880 in Harrisonville, Missouri, United States.
Bell, Robert Cook was born on November 1, 1880 in Harrisonville, Missouri, United States.
Student Kidder Institute, Kidder, Missouri
Born in Harrisonville, Missouri, Bell received an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Missouri in 1908. He was in private practice in Saint Joseph, Missouri from 1908 to 1916. He was a special assistant to the Attorney General of the United States in the Department of Justice in Minnesota from 1916 to 1918, then in Denver, Colorado until 1920, and then in Missouri again in 1921.
He returned to private practice in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota from 1921 to 1933, serving as counsel to the Red Lake Indians of Minnesota from 1927 to 1933, and to the Pillager Indians of Minnesota from 1930 to 1933.
On June 8, 1933, Bell was nominated by President Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota vacated by William A. Cant. Bell was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 10, 1933, and received his commission on June 13, 1933.
He assumed senior status on May 1, 1961, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1964.
He was also a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1928 to 1933.
Married Mamie Collins, November 22, 1911. Children: Robert, Marianne, John, David Alan.