John H. Bell - 1818 - 1907

BELL, KEITH

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 4/7/2010 at 16:43:46

JOHN H. BELL
DECEASED
Was a Mason of High Standing and Repute
LIVED HERE LONG AGO

John H. Bell.

From Norcatur (Kas) Register:

John H. Bell was born in Auburn, New York, Feb. 7, 1818. In 1836 he moved to the territory of Iowa where he was married to Catharine Keith Feb. 20, 1845.

To this union nine children were born, six boys and three girls, four of whom are still living.
Brother Bell was raised from a dead level to a living perpendicular in Farmington Lodge A. F. and A. M. Farmington, Iowa, Apr. 2, 185(0?).
He became a charter member of Bonaparte Lodge 73, A F and A M and was elected S. W. of that Lodge in June 1855, which office he held until he was elected W. M. in June 1858.

He moved to Dectur [sic] county Kansas in 1880 and settled on a homestead about eight miles southwest of where Norcatur now stands and continued to reside in the same neighborhood until the time of his death.

Before moving to Kansas, Brother Bell became one of the charter members of the Norcatur Lodge No. 317 A. F. and A. M., February 20, 1889, of which he was a most honorable member as long as he lived.

On June 12, 1894, his wife died and the Worshipful Master of Norcatur Lodge officiated at the funeral, assisted by other members of the lodge, Brother Bell being confined to his bed at the time by serious illness.

As a member of Norcatur lodge he was honored above his fellows by reason of his sterling manly qualities, his intense devotion to the tenets of the order he loved, and his wonderful knowledge of Masonry and all things pertaining therein.
He was a consistent and enthusiastic member of the order and the lodge is indebted to him more than to any other member for its success.

On June 8, 1907, the working tools he had handled so skillfully and so long, dropped from his nerveless hands and his trembling soul stood naked before its Maker.

On June 10, 1907, C. S. Kennedy, W. M. of Norcatur Lodge, assisted the brethren of his own and Jennings lodge consigned the body to the earth.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA