William Schuyler Bell (1858-1898)

BELL, OXLEY

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/21/2005 at 16:56:28

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE Maxwell, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, October 27, 1898. "PEORIA CITY - Death, the sable winged angel, came unbidden to the Bell home in this place, his victim being Schuyler Bell, the husband and father, after nine day's suffering with inflammation of the stomach. It is well know all around that for three years and about nine months he has been a great, but patient, sufferer from the effects of a fall of a tree upon him, being paralyzed from his hips to his toes. Of course his stomach had to do double duty and when that failed, death was the result. In his death the whole neighborhood feel to sympathize with the family and friends and as he has been confined to the house he will be missed the more. His empty wheel chair and the vacant place at the table tell, in silent tones that Schuyler is gone. His neighbors will miss him, but none more than she, his life partner, in whose arms he peacefully breathed his last. She realizes that he has called her name for the last time to aid him in moving about and dressing him as she would a child for almost four years, yet she is not without hope, for he said, while grappling with the grim monster, that he had lived a christian for the last two years, and all was well as to the future. His aged parents have the deep sympathy of all their friends in this, their dark hour and they know of a truth, Schuyler is at rest where accident, dangers and death can never give him pain. The funeral was preached in Peoria City by Rev. S. S. Scull to a large congregation of sympathizing neighbors and friends. After those sad rites were over the sable steeds moved slowly to the last resting place of all that is mortal of Schuyler Bell, and laid him in the silent city of the dead to await the last loud call of the trumpet that shall awaken earth's sleeping dead to a higher and nobler life. Kitty Wells."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE Maxwell, Story County, Iowa Thursday November 3, 1898. "William Schuyler Bell was born in Porter county, Indiana, Aug. 17, 1858, and died Oct 19, 1898, being forty years and two months old. He moved to Iowa when but nine years old, settling in Polk county where he remained until his death. He was married to Miss Lizzie Oxley on July 2, 1886. Five children were born to them, Grace, Burt, Floyd, Fannie and Lulu, all of whom survive him. Mr. Bell was seriously injured by a falling tree January 7, 1895, being paralyzed and helpless from the waist downward thereby. He was a continual but patient sufferer, bearing his heavy load with great cheerfulness and hope till death ended his trials. About two years ago he professed conversion and united with the M. P. church in which communion he died professing saving faith in Christ. A large concourse of mourners and friends attended his funeral. He was buried from the Peoria church, the sermon being preached by Rev. S. S. Scull, from Heb. 12-1. He sleeps in the beautiful little cemetery on the hill, there to await the resurrection, but his chastened spirit is with the Lord who gave it."

BURIAL: Headstone; Peoria Cemetery; near Maxwell, Iowa; county lines of Story and Polk; POLK COUNTY, IOWA CEMETERIES WASHINGTON TWP.; Iowa Historical Library; Des Moines; Iowa; Geneal * F 627 .P7 C4 V.6; p. 2; Bell, W. S. ; born 8 17 1858, died 11 19 1896; section CS, tier 5, row 6. (death date was recorded incorrectly on headstone).

BURIAL: STORY CO., IOWA GRAVE MARKER INSCRIPTIONS V 1-6, V 7-11, V 12-14 WITH INDEX; Iowa Historical Library Des Moines, Iowa; Geneal. *F 627. S8 S8 page 489 Peoria Cemetery Sec 2 row 14 #16 W. S. Bell Aug 17 1856 - Nov 19 1898.