John Bell was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on April 20, 1800, and was the eldest child of Peter and Mary Ziegler Bell. He was trained by this father and influenced by other immigrant potters in Hagarstown. He worked from his father's shop until the family moved to Winchester, Virginia in 1824. He moved to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania between 1826 and 1828, in 1833 he moved to Waynsboro, Pennsylvania, where he established his own pottery.

The stamp "J.Bell" was employed in the second series of maker's marks used by the potter after 1830.