EDWARD BELL
Edward Bell, who was called to his final rest on the 27th of July, 1909, was long numbered among the substantial agriculturists and respected citizens of Cedar county, owning three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive farming land in Inland township. His birth occurred in Meigs county, Ohio, on the 21st of February, 1849, his parents being Frances and Rebecca (Thompson) Bell, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work. In the acquirement of an education he attended the schools of Ohio and Indiana and during one winter term he also pursued his studies in Inland township, this county. After putting aside his text-books he worked as a farm hand in Scott county for two years and then devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land in Cedar county for a similar period. At the end of that time he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township, afterward bought thirteen acres more and still later made an additional purchase of one hundred and forty-seven acres, and subsequently another eighty acre tract, his farm therefore embracing four hundred acres. The property is now in possession of his widow. He also owned one hundred and seventy acres of timber land in this county. General agricultural pursuits claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career and proved a source of gratifying remuneration to him.
The following is a brief extract from an obituary appearing on one of the local papers shortly after his demise: “In 1870 he became of age and began the effort to carve out a place for himself. Without capital, single handed, he began to work and to save. Possessing a clear mind, an indomitable spirit and a strong body, and entire immunity from all habits that could in any way weaken or divert these splendid resources, he threw his strength and energy into the apparently one supreme purpose of building a fortune for himself and those who should come to depend on him. How well he succeeded is best attested by the good name and estate that he left to his wife and children.”
On the 9th of February, 1875, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Jane Hill, a daughter of Richard and Ally (Fulwider) Hill, who came from Virginia to this county in 1847, here spending the remainder of their lives. Richard Hill purchased eighty acres of land and carried on farming and stock-raising with excellent success. It was on the 3d of September, 1852, that he wedded Miss Ally Fulwider, by whom he had eight children. His demise occurred April 9, 1908, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 17th of May, 1880. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, one son and one daughter dying in infancy. The others are as follows: Charles F., Prentice R., Albert E., Lellie May Hegarty, James G. and Eddie A.
In politics Mr. Bell was an unfaltering republican, believing firmly in the principles of that party, and was a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. The following is another extract from the obituary referred to above: “All with whom he came in contact could no doubt bear ample testimony to his ability in counsel, his courage in defense of what he believed to be right, his industry, honesty and uprightness in business, his sympathy and responsiveness toward the needy and helpless, not upon the principles of the lodge or of the church, but solely upon his own high sense of what is due to man as man. He knew no object of worship but God, whom he acknowledged and reverenced in his heart and conscience; he recognized no temple but nature, no earthly tribunal higher than his own reason and conscience, no religion except to love God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. * * * The funeral services were conducted by Dr. John R. H. Latchaw at the family residence, Saturday, July 31st, at ten o’clock, and a very large concourse of people followed in the funeral cortege to the beautiful Inland cemetery, where the mortal remains of ‘Ed’ Bell, as he was familiarly called and known by everybody, now repose.”
