George Edward Bell Henderson County KY Biography

Henderson County, Kentucky Biography

GEORGE EDWARD BELL

George Edward BELL was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, on 02 Aug 1822. His father was William BELL, a cooper by trade and a farmer. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and 1814, under General Stricker, and earned an honorable distinction in offering himself a liking sacrifice in defense of his country. William BELL married, in Baltimore County, Achsah SMITH, unto whom were born eleven children, namely Hannah, Mary, George E., William, Abraham and Isaac, (twins), James (who died in infancy), Joseph, Emry, Kenneth and Caleb. Of this number, only two are living at this writing, the subject of this sketch being one of the number. The paternal grandfather was Edward BELL, a Scotch-Irishman by birth. His maternal grandfather was Adam SMITH, of German origin. Both of these gentlemen were farmers in Maryland and both of them died and were buried in that State.

George E. Bell, received what might be termed a fair country school education – a man of his natural turn might have attained to a fair education without the aid of the country pettifogger, who pretends to form minds. His mind, at this day – what it may have been in his your, we do not know – is broad, comprehensive, capable of grasping any subject. He is a great reader of the literature of the day, and digests it, as few men can. His life alternated – sometimes he lived in the City of Baltimore, sometimes out in the county, but, all the time, improving his limited opportunities. By nature and choice, he favored the life of a carpenter, and, to accomplish this purpose, gave himself studiously to the work before him. By the aid of a clear, quick, mathematical head, a keen eye and an earnest desire to learn, he soon mastered and has stood in the front rank of woodworkers since. On 26 Jun 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth SHIPLEY, of Baltimore County, and by that marriage, seven children have been born unto them, to-wit: Mary, Frank, Annie, Rosa, Joseph, William and Walter, all now living except Frank.

A few years after his marriage Mr. BELL was engaged at work in a car shop, and, while operating a circular saw, was struck by a flying piece of timber and killed for the time being. He recovered consciousness some time after, but was unable, for several days, to resume his work again. In the winter of 1853 or 1854, he went to York County, PA, and engaged in farming for the period of one year. At the end of that time he gave up his farm and returned to Maryland, where he worked on a farm for five years. During that time he made two trips West to Richmond, IN, working at his trade there one entire winter. In the fall of 1862, while in Maryland, he was drafted into the army. Not having a military turn, and certainly no disposition to kill or be killed, he left the State and immigrated to Indiana, locating at Princeton. He worked at that place during the winter, and from thence went to Evansville, where he was appointed foreman in building United States hospitals. In August 1863, he came to Henderson and remained until August 1864, when he again returned to Indiana, locating at Fort Branch, where he remained until 1865. He then returned to Henderson and has lived here since, enjoying his share of contracting and building.

At the age of nineteen, Mr. BELL connected himself with the Methodist Church, and has ever been consistent and devoted to its tenets. At this time he is Superintendent of the Sunday School. He joined Friendship Lodge, I. O. O. F., Baltimore, 1847, and has had his membership transferred to the Lodge at this place. He has three married children: Annie, married Robert BRASHEAR, now living in St. Louis, has four children, George, Lizzie, Luther and Harry; Rosa married George McMULLIN and has two living children, Walter and Benjamin; William recently married Miss Ida QUINN.

Mr. BELL, in addition to his city interests, owns two hundred acres of valuable farming lands in that section of the county known as Frog Island.

Starling’s History of Henderson County, Kentucky, 1887.

GEORGE EDWARD BELL REFERENCES

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1858 – 1900

Charles E. Bell – Nancy Crenshaw, 13 Feb 1877, Book 015, Page 037
H. C. Bell – Emma Cordier, 20 Sep 1874, Book 014, Page 039
Harry Bell – Mary Posey, 16 Mar 1872, Book 011, Page 504
Stephen H. Bell – Emma Reed, 07 Jan 1873, Book 012, Page 112
Will G. Bell – Ida T. Quinn, 05 Oct 1886, Book 020, Page 073
William H. Bell – Margaret Whayne, 16 Feb 1865, Book 006, Page 315
Annie R. Bell – Robert Brashear, 07 Mar 1877, Book 015, Page 046
Fronia Bell – George McMican, 30 Jan 1889, Book 021, Page 363
Irey Bell – Carey Moss, 17 Nov 1871, Book 011, Page 294
Louisa Bell – S. J. Golden, 10 Aug 1897, Book 027, Page 273
Maggie Bell – Willie Whittaker, 23 Sep 1900, Book 029, Page 244
Rosa Bell – George W. McMullin, 03 Oct 1880, Book 016, Page 248
Sally A. Bell – Joseph Porter, 29 Dec 1873, Book 013, Page 236
Sudie Bell – John W. Killman, 08 Jul 1900, Book 029, Page 213

1870 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

George Bell age 79, Page 234, House No. 232; Elizabeth age 61; Mary age 21; Ann age 19; Rose age 17; Joseph age 15; William age 13; Walter age 11; Kenneth age 35.

1880 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY

George E. Bell age 58, Page 88, House No. 210; Elizabeth age 60; Mary age 31; Rosa age 20; Joseph age 23; William age 22; Walter age 20; Annie Brasger age 29; George Brasger age 4; Lazzie Brasger (f) age 1.

INTERMENT RECORDS

Laura L. Bell, 04 Jul 1867, Fernwood, Age unknown, 542, 12
Elizabeth Bell, 28 Jul 1892, Fernwood, Age unknown, 542, 1
George Bell, 02 Oct 1897, Fernwood, Age unknown, 542, 2
Miss Mary A. Bell, 05 Oct 1931, Fernwoof, Age unknown, 542, 3