Virginia Adelaide Noble and William Newton Bell

WILLIAM NEWTON BELL, son of NANCY J. BEATY and HARVEY BELL, was born July 16, 1836 in Knightstown, Henry, Indiana,^{439, 4931} and died October 4, 1908 in Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.⁴⁹³¹ He is buried in Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{216, 219, 1075, 4931}

He married VIRGINIA ADELAIDE NOBLE on February 8, 1859 in Henry County, Indiana.^{197, 439, 1675} She was born June 27, 1841 in Goshen, Ohio,^{439, 4931} and died July 8, 1911 in Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.⁴⁹³¹ She is buried in Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{216, 1075, 4931}

• Descendant Reports
  • William Scott Descendant Report (Ancestor of William N. Bell)

Children of VIRGINIA ADELAIDE NOBLE and WILLIAM NEWTON BELL:

1. LOUIS ALFRED BELL, b. December 21, 1859, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;^{439, 4931} m. FLORENCE LEONE FURGASON on October 27, 1897 in Henry County, Indiana^{197, 1675}; d. October 13, 1929, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{216, 219, 4931}
2. CHARLES NOBLE BELL, b. May 21, 1861, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;⁴³⁹ d. November 4, 1866, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;⁴³⁹ bur. Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{216, 1075}
3. ELIZABETH ANNA BELL, b. September 2, 1868, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;^{439, 4931} m. ELMER ELLSWORTH SMITH on September 20, 1899 in Knightstown, Henry, Indiana^{197, 1119, 1103, 4361}; d. February 24, 1951, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{216, 1119, 4931}
4. DR. HARRY J. BELL, b. August 20, 1870, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;⁴³⁹ m. MARTHA EDWARDS on June 28, 1899 in Henry County, Indiana^{197, 1103}; d. June 30, 1900, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.⁴⁹³¹
5. FRANK ELDER BELL, b. September 12, 1875, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;^{439, 4931} d. August 21, 1915, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.⁴⁹³¹
6. CLARA NOBLE BELL, b. August 23, 1877, Indiana;⁴⁹³¹ m. ROSS OSCAR THORNTON on March 16, 1906 in Knightstown, Henry, Indiana^{197, 1675, 4363}; d. January 28, 1963, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{1102, 1543, 4931}
7. REGINALD LESLIE BELL, b. July 29, 1882, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana;^{1186, 1103} m. EDITH ANNA WOODARD on June 18, 1908 in Henry County, Indiana^{197, 1103}; d. November 26, 1937, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana.^{79, 1111, 4931}

• William Newton Bell and Virginia Adelaide Noble were members of the Knightstown Presbyterian Church, Henry County, Indiana (1886). ^{1108, 1116}

• William Newton Bell was baptized in November, 1836 at Knightstown Presbyterian Church, Henry County, Indiana.¹⁵⁴³
  

Knightstown Banner, October 9, 1908¹¹⁰⁸

OLDEST ACTIVE MERCHANT DEAD

William N. Bell, for Half a Century A Merchant of Knightstown, Succumbs to Illness.—Business Houses Close as Mark of Respect During Hour of Funeral.

At about the hour of 11 o'clock last Sunday morning the messenger of Death laid its cold hand upon the brow of our esteemed citizen, William N. Bell, and called him away from home and family and associates to that home on high from whence no traveler returneth.

Mr. Bell was 72 years of age, and had lived in our midst fully 70 years. He had become a landmark. He was a pioneer. He was the oldest active business man of the town. Ten days previous to his demise he was taken ill of fever and heart trouble. He, however, succumbed to congestion of the brain. His death came suddenly and unexpectedly.

For more than sixty years he had been identified with the hardware business in this city, and during that long period of time naught was ever charged to his name or to any of his dealings with his fellow man. Mr. Bell was clean fisted, of a pure heart, and an admirable gentleman. He was a good man, a law abiding citizen, and a member of one of the oldest and most respected families of this city and community.

A family of six survive him, wife, three sons and two daughters. The sons are Louis, Reginald and Frank; the daughters, Mrs. Elmer E. Smith and Mrs. Ross Thornton. All are residents of this city with the exception of latter, who resides at Indianapolis.

Had he lived until February next he and Mrs. Bell would have celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

The funeral service were held from the house on East Main street, Tuesday afternoon. In token of respect to deceased all of the business houses of the city were closed from hour of 3 o'clock until 4 o'clock p. m. The funeral was largely attended by home friends and relatives from afar.

The following beautiful words from pen of Dr. John W. White, a companion and friend of deceased for nearly sixty years, was read at the funeral:

William Newton was the son of Harvey and Nancy J. Bell, who came to Indiana in an early day. He was born on a farm about one mile south of town July 16th, 1836. Shortly after his parents moved to West Liberty, a village southwest of town, on the old State road. After a year or two they came to Knightstown. This has been his home for seventy years past. In the early schools he secured his education. At the early age of thirteen, he entered his father's store, in a building standing on the southwest corner of Clay and Adams streets, known as Bell & McCain's store. They carried a general stock of hardware. The firm continued until 1856 when McCain went to Iowa, closing out his business interest to Mr. Bell. In all these years William continued in the store.

Shortly before his marriage he became a partner, and the business was H. & W.N. Bell & Co. After his father's death he became the proprietor, taking his son into the firm. Under his close attention and management the business grew to be one of the largest and most prosperous in the town. As an evidence of his public spirit he and his father put up Bell's block in 1864, adding much to the appearance of and business interests of the town and furnishing a public hall for lectures and entertainments, supplying a long felt want in the community.

He was married to Ada Virginia Noble February 8th, 1859. They began house keeping on North Jefferson street, where Louis was born to gladden their young lives. Later on he and his wife chose this place above all others in town for his home, made it attractive and comfortable for his family growing up around them, and where they have spent so many hours in loving companionship with his wife and children. Here in its seclusion he found rest from the cares and anxiety of a busy life. To him it was always a haven of rest. He much preferred the quietude of the home circle to any other enjoyment the world offered. Here his family grew up under his fatherly care and direction. From here he bore away to their final resting place Charley in his youth and Harry in mature years, and while these shadows darkened the way it was in a measure compensated for by the sunshine and joy the remaining ones brought into his life.

While he loved his friends and ever made them welcome, his affections centered in his family for whose comfort and happiness he ever strove. During the pastorate of the Rev. W. A. Cutler in 1886 he united with the Presbyterian church and continued his active membership until the end of his life. For some years he sustained an official relation therein. He was the friend of all moral and religious reforms and cast his influence on these lines. He believed in education and gave to his children all the opportunities they desired.

He was a great reader and lover of books and made them his companions rather than engage in the amusements and frivolities of life with the young people of his time. While he was engaged in the business world and its activities he found time to store his mind with useful knowledge, always keeping in touch with current events of the day.

He passed his three score and ten years of life, enjoying the full promised earthly stay, and has gone to his reward.

We shall miss him from his place of business, in the church, and in his quiet daily walk among men.

But most of all in the family circle, where his presence had been so comforting in all the passing years.

He leaves his wife, the loving companion of his young manhood, and his comfort in the evening time. His children, Louis, Lizzie, Frank, Clara and Reginald, and little grandson, where so many hopes centered, one brother two sisters, John F. Bell and Mary Plimpton and Emma Edwards, but their loss is his eternal gain.

Those from out of town in attendance upon funeral of W. N. Bell were as follows:

Mrs. Chas. Plimpton, Aurora, Ill., Mrs. Grant McArthur, Waukeegan, Ill., Miss Lillian Thornton, Terre Haute, Ind., Mrs. Milton Craighead, Richmond, Ind., Mesdames: John Black and Alice Bragg, Greenfield, Ind., Mesdames John S. Bell and Paul Bell, Philadelphia, Frank E. Edwards, Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Morris, New Castle, Ind., Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pfaff, Mrs. Cameron; Mrs. J. B. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. King, Mrs. Charles Deeter, Miss Lena Thayer, and Harry Smith, Rev. and Mrs. William Carson, Newton Lambert, Mrs. Florence Harrison and Mrs. Harriett Patterson, of Indianapolis.

CARD OF THANKS.

We desire to express our sincere thanks and grateful appreciation to all our neighbors and friends for their kindness and sympathy shown during the last of our beloved husband and father. We were deeply touched by the beautiful floral tributes and especially the one from the business men.

Mrs. ADDIE BELL AND FAMILY

Knightstown Banner, July 14, 1911¹¹¹⁷

Death of Mrs. Bell.

Mrs. William N. Bell, aged 70 years, died at her home, on East Main street at 1 o'clock on Saturday morning after an illness covering a period of three months of paralysis. She had long been a resident of Knightstown and was one of the town's best known women, a devout and faithful Presbyterian, a kind-hearted neighbor and friend. The funeral took place from the family residence Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock and was attended by many sympathizing friends. The service was conducted by Rev. William Carson, Indianapolis, and Rev. H. T. Graham. Interment was made at Glencove.

Card of Thanks.

To our neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted us during our sad bereavement, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation.

Knightstown Banner, July 14, 1911¹¹¹⁶

In Memory of Mrs. W. N. Bell.

In the death of Mrs. Adelade Noble Bell the members of the Home and Foreign missionary societies of the Presbyterian church feel keenly the personal loss of their beloved friend and earnest, faithful co-worker. She has been a member of this society since its organization, January 11, 1879, when Dr. Hutchinson was pastor of the church, Mrs. Hutchinson being the first president and Mrs. King the first secretary of the society. Through all the intervening years Mrs. Bell has been an active, interested power for good.

Mrs. Bell loved the pure, the good, the beautiful, and lived the life she professed. She was a kind neighbor, a true friend, a devoted wife and mother.

We, the members of this society, wish to express our loving sympathy to the family. May they be comforted in the knowledge that they have been faithful in their untiring, unselfish care, and have done all that could be done towards making the last days of their dear one free from suffering. May the Everlasting Arms surround them, and His grace be sufficient to hear the pain of parting. She leaves us all the blessed memory of a beautiful, unselfish life.

Relatives and friends from out of town in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. Bell were: Mrs. J. H. Lambert, Mrs. Charles Deiter, Mr. and Mrs. John King, Miss Genevieve King, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Smith, Indianapolis; Mrs. Richard Havmeyer, Chicago; Miss Lillian Thornton, Terre Haute, Ind.; Mrs. Thomas Allen, Springfield, Ill.

Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown, Henry, Indiana

William N. Bell

Virginia A. Noble

Charles N. Bell