BELL, Isaac: 1840-1912

BELL, EMERSON, COURTRIGHT, FASHMER, VANWINKLE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/21/2013 at 03:25:30

**Handwritten: 13 Aug. 1912 Bon. Record Pg 2

Isaac Bell died Thursday morning, August 1, aged seventy-two years. He was the second son of John and Jane Emerson Bell and was born in Lee county, Iowa, near Clay Grove, May 17, 1840. At the time, though the country was settling up fast, yet it was comparatively new. Indians were some of the nearest neighbors. In those days school advantages were few and the boyhood days are full of memories of the log school house. It was in such a one in which Isaac received his schooling. In after years this education was added to by a thorough, practical business education in the school of experience. Isaac was a great reader and had lots of magazines on his table and a library of books.

In an early day Hiram Courtright and wife with their little family came to Iowa and settled six miles from Fort Madison. One of this family was a daughter of Mrs. Courtright by a former marriage; by name Margaret Cyrena Fashmer. Isaac Bell wooed and won this girl for his wife. They were united in marriage March 13, 1863, at West Point, Ia.; by the Rev. Mr. Thompson, of the M.C. church. They moved at once to the place, two and one-half miles west of Mt. Hamill, Ia., where all these years they have made their home. Here they reared their little family of one son and two daughters, seeing them grow to manhood and womanhood: the eldest, Charles R., has been the father's help and support and the mother's joy; Luella is an accomplished musician, and ever has been the delight of the home: Ardelia, the youngest, held the loved one's place until she went to a home of her own as the wife of Dr. C.O. Van Winkle, of Salem, Ia. By thrift and wise business foresight they have gathered about them these beautiful acres for their home. Isaac has always been an earnest, busy man. In early years he and his wife belonged to the grange. Politically Mr. Bell was a democrat, but not a radical he was a man of reason and candor. Not all of the time was spent on the farm; the world's fair at Chicago, at St. Louis, at Seattle and two years ago a tour in the west, all enjoyed to the fullest, helped to break the spell of a farmers' care. The afflictions of his life have been very few; about two years ago he was ailing with rheumatism, and last March a fall from a load of hay upon his head and shoulders was a very severe blow from which he rallied slowly. In June he began treatments of the doctor going in an auto, but about six weeks ago dropsical tendencies appeared and of these he was getting better, being up and about Sundal with the family, but shortness of breath and the other complications all added to the weakness of the system, and a hemorrhage of the lungs coming on he rallied only slightly, and when another came he passed away. He leaves to mourn, his widow, one son, Charles R., and two daughters, Luella, at home, and Ardellia, the wife of Dr. C.O. Van Winkle, of Salem, Ia.; besides one brother, Robert Bell, of Mt. Hamill, Ia., and two grandchildren, Lewis M. and Charles Alden Van Winkle.

Funeral services were held at the Clay Grove church Saturday, August 3, at 2:30 p.m.; the sermon being by Rev. Lloyd Tennant, of Cantril, Ia., a friend of the family and a former pastor. He used as a text: Job, 5:26. The music was by a select choir in charge of Mrs. Sadie Brownlee. The pallbearers were William Paisley, Robert Dick, John Hemmings, Frank Newsam, U.S. Alter and W.S. Ross. Interment in the Clay Grove Cemetery.

**Handwritten: Isacc Bell Bon. Rec. 13 Aug 1912

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 187, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

Source#2: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA