William G Bell

BELL RHODES ARNETT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/18/2010 at 21:41:35

Woodbury County History 1984

William G and Margaret Bell
By Mae Bell

William G Bell was born September 14, 1836, at Beaver County, Pennsylvania, the fourth child of James and Maria Rhodes Bell. He grew to manhood in Beaver County, where he followed the trade of plastering and masonry work.

He married Sarah Arnett, December 2, 1858. They lived in Beaver County until about 1862 when they and their two daughters, Nancy and Elizabeth, moved to Mercer County, Illinois. March 1863, his wife, Sarah, passed away and that same year, the daughter, Elizabeth, passed away, leaving him with a four-year-old daughter to care for.

He later met Margaret Edgar Stevenson who husband Issac N Stevenson was killed in the Civil War. She was left with two small children, John N Stevenson and Mary E Stevenson.

William G Bell and Margaret Stevenson were married October 23, 1864.

They lived at Aledo, Illinois, until April 24, 1868, when the family moved to Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa. They lived on a farm there for nineteen years; the older children received their education in the Davis County schools. The older children also had to work as there were ten children living at home.

They lost Mr Bell’s daughter, Nancy, and two young sons, Harry and Clyde, while they lived near Bloomfield.

December 6, 1887, the family moved to Woodbury County, Iowa. Their farm was in section 21 or from what is now Moville, one mile east, then one mile north past Arlington Cemetery and then three-fourths mile east. The place joined the Fred Wright farm, now owned by Clare Wright. The younger boys helped with the farming and the older boys worked away from home.

After the town of Moville was laid out and the surveyors had left, Mr. Bell, found one of the chains they had left behind. The chain has been in the Bell family since it was found. The great-grandson has it now.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell were members of the Moville Methodist Church. They taught their children to be law abiding, honest and truthful citizens. Mrs. Bell was always ready to help anyone in need and good to help in sickness. March 1901, the nine-month-old son of William and Ida Bell became very ill with pneumonia and Margaret was right there to help care for her grandson. She never left until he was out of danger. She was just like a nurse. The daughter-in-law highly praised her mother-in-law for the kind deeds she did for others.

Margaret’s health began to fail in 1903, but she still tried to help others; by 1905 she had to spend most of the time in bed. She passed away July 17, 1906.

She was a member of the Women’s Relief Corps of the Peter Van Norman Post GAR.

Mr. Bell was left alone again as all of the children were married and not all of them lived around Moville. His health was also beginning to fail and he had helped to care for Margaret all during her illness. He also had a great deal of grief during his life. He lost two wives, three daughters, two sons, his father and mother. A brother, John, was killed July 2, 1863, in the Battle of Gettysburg, and his brother, George, was taken prisoner the same day and died in 1866.

He continued to live by himself and kept a cow and chickens as long as he was able to care for them. He suffered a great deal of pain in later years with his feet and legs. The doctor suggested he stay off of his feet as much as possible. He often went to Fred Wright’s to have born ground for the chickens.

He had three granddaughters that helped him when they were not working. They were Vona, Tucy, and Stella Rogers.

Mr. Bell was an honorable citizen and highly respected. James Graham, Editor and Owner of The Moville Mail, said, ‘M.r Bell left a name without a stain.”

William G and Margaret were the parents of ten children, two died in infancy. Those living were William G, Jr.; Appaline Jane; James R; Margaret Alice; Albert Norris; Harvey; George; and Charles E.

William G Bell passed away March 1, 1928, at the age of 91 years. He had suffered a stroke and he fell, fracturing his hip.

He and his wife, Margaret, are buried in Arlington Cemetery near Moville, Iowa.