William Cleveland Bell, Sr.

Notes:

His Texas Death Certificated listed his usual occupation as Rancher. Although he died at the Hermann Hospital in Houstin, his usual residence was in Precinct 5, Brookland, Sabine County, Texas. The informant was his son, W. C. Bell.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr. 1, Hemphill Town
Enumerated April 7, 1930
ED 202-28? SD 19 Sheet 1B
Fourth Street
22-22
Bell, William C Head M W 37 M 22 Tx Tx Tx Farm Overseer
Bell, Maudie Wf F W 37 m 22 Tx Tx Tx Teacher Public School
Bell, Mildred Dtr F W 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, W. C. Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx

William married Maude Evelyn Mathews about 1914. Maude (daughter of Henry Jackson Mathews and Amanda "Mandy" L. Smith) was born on 13 Feb 1893 in Texas; died on 19 Apr 1982 in Houston, Harris County, Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Old Timers of Sabine County, Texas
Virgie Speights
October 22, 1964

The Golden Wedding Anniversary reception honoring Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Bell, at the First Baptist Church in Hemphill on Sunday afternoon, October 11, 1964, was a happy occasion. It was the means of reuniting friends and relatives, some of whom had not seen each other for more than a quarter of a centurty.

In 1914, William Cleveland Bell, the son of Rebecca Magee, of Magee Bend, and L. S. Bell, of Brookeland, took as his bride, Maude Matthews, daughter of Amanda Smith and H. J. Matthews, of San Augustine. He was a young business man of Hemphill. She was teaching first grade in Hemphill School. They were married in the beautiful old Toole home.

To this couple was born a son, W. C. Jr., now of Center, and a daughter, Mildred, now Mrs. W. V. MORRIS, of Houston. There are give grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Guests at the reception were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Bell, Jr., Mrs. and Mrs. W. V. Morris, of Houston, Mrs. H. Raymond Hagan, Houston, and Mrs. Madeleine H. Smith of Center. Patty and Sandra Bell, granddaughters of the honored couple, presided at the guest register and pinned on favors which were minature rice bags of gold tulle tied with gold satin ribbon and lillies of the valley. These contained a dainty roll of parchment inscribed:

We than you friends and neighbors,
And relatives so dear,
For all the joy you've wished us,
And for your presence here,
Now when this day is over,
And our gifts are put away,
The memory of this joyous time
Will ever with us stay
Thank you,
Maude and Cleve

Young Bill Bell directed the guests, after they had greeted the honorees, to the tea table, where Mrs. Nelda Harris Bridges poured punch and served the wedding cake. Mrs. H. Raymond Hagan showed gifts and alternated at the punch bowl.

Telegrams, letters, cards and gifts came from friends throughout the state. Guests from Hemphill, San Augustine, Woodville, Beaumont, Center and Houston called to pay their respects to wish Mr. and Mrs. Bell many more happy anniversaries.

Now retired, the Bells are still very active. They enjoy operating their ranch near Brookeland.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, November 2012)

1. Mildred Bell was born about 1917 in Sabine County, Texas; and died.
2. William Cleveland "W. C." Bell, Jr. was born about 1921 in Sabine County, Texas; and died.

Notes:

The digital image of his actual Texas Death Certificate, viewable online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, shows him as the son of J. R. Bell, Kentucky, and Annie Smith, Kentucky. The informant was H. L. Bell. His occupation was farmer, retired. His doctor indicated that "He came in to see me and was giving history of his trouble and fell dead, most probably heart attack."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
J. R. Bell Self Wd M W 59 Ky Farmer Va Va
Robert Bell Son S M W 18 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Phillip Bell Son S M W 16 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
James Bell Son S M W 12 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Luther Bell Son S M W 20 Tx Farmer Ky Ky
B. A. Bell Wf M F W 18 Tx Tx Tx
Source: Pr 3, Sabine, TX
FHL Film 1255325 NA Film #T9-1325
Page # 209D

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 3
Enumerated 1 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 1B
13-13
Bell, Luther Head m W Jan 1860 M 22 Tx Ky Ky Farmer
Bell, Rebecca Wf W F Jun 1862 37 M 22 6/6 Tx Miss Miss
Bell, Almedia Dau W F May 1880 20 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, John L Son W M Feb 1884 16 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Roxy Dau W F Jun 1886 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Rosa Dau W F Aug 1889 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Cleveland Son W M Dec 1892 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Bell, Nellie Dau W F Oct 1897 2 S Tx Tx Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr 3
Enumerated 22 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 133 Sheet 10B
189-190
Bell, Luther S Head M W 50 m1 31 Tx Ky Ky Foreman Lumber Mill
Bell, Rebecca A Wf F W 47 m1 31 7/6 Tx Tx Tx
Bell, John Son M W 26 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Lumber Mill
Bell, Rosa R Dtr F W 20 S Tx Tx Tx Teacher Pub School
Bell, Cleveland Son M W 17 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer Farm
Bell, Curtis Son M W 9 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 3
Enumerated 20 Jan 1920
SD 2 ED 170 Sheet 8A
Brookeland & White Cty
158-162
Bell, Luthy S Head M W 56 m1 Tx Tn Tn Farmer
Bell, Becike A Wf F W 57 m1 Tx Miss Tx
McGee, William L Stepfather M W 83 Wd Miss Miss MIss

Luther married Rebecca "Becky" Angeline McGee before 1880. Rebecca was born on 20 Jun 1862 in Texas; died on 6 Jun 1930 in Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas; was buried on 8 Jun 1930 in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The digital image of her actual Texas Death Certificate, viewable online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, shows her as the daughter of Louis McGee, Mississippi, and Annasaid McGil, Mississippi. The informant was Mrs. Julie Ward of Brookeland. She was married at the time of her death.

Notes:

In her annotated transcription of the Brookeland Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary shows him as a born in Green County, KY. There is a military marker at his grave site showing that he was a Pvt Co D 1 Texas HV ARTY, Confederate States Army. His tombstone was engraved "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

At the time of the 1900 Sabine County Federal Census, 1900 Census,Enumerated 5 Jun 1900,SD 8 ED 70 Sheet 3A, Household 36-36 was that of James Bell (b. Dec 1868 Tx) and Nellie Bell (b. Mar 1868 TX). They were the parents of 5 children/4 still living, Addie, Olliver, Richard, and Leona. James's father, John Bell, born Jan 1821 in Kentucky, was also a resident of their home.



(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Bare Creek Beat
Enumerated 11 July 1860
262-262
John R. Bell 36 M Farmer $--- $825 Ky
Julia P. Bell 32 F Ky
George A Bell 11 M Ky
Martha Bell 10 F Ky
William Bell 7 M Ky
John Bell 5 M Ky
Franklin Bell 3 M Tx
Luther Bell 4/12 Tx

1870 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Beat No. 3, PO Brookeland
Enumerated 7 Aug 1870
Page No. 6
541-541
Bell, John B. 46 M W Farmer $1000 Ky
Bell, Julia Ann 40 F W Keeping House KY
Bell, George A 23 M W Ky
Bell, William 18 M W Ky
Bell, Henry 16 M W Tx
Bell, Frankline 13 M W Tx
Bell, Luther 10 M W Tx
Bell, Robert 9 M W Tx
Bell, Phillips 7 M W Tx
Bell, James 3 M W Tx

1880 Census
J. R. Bell Self Wd M W 59 Ky Farmer Va Va
Robert Bell Son S M W 18 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Phillip Bell Son S M W 16 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
James Bell Son S M W 12 Tx Wks on Farm Ky Ky
Luther Bell Son S M W 20 Tx Farmer Ky Ky
B. A. Bell Wf M F W 18 Tx Tx Tx
Source: Pr 3, Sabine, TX
FHL Film 1255325 NA Film #T9-1325
Page # 209D

John married Julia Ann "Annie" "JulyAnn" Smith. Julia was born on 12 Dec 1829 in Green County, Kentucky; died on 4 Mar 1879 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Brookeland Cemetery, Brookeland, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In her annotated transcription of the Brookeland Cemetery, Kay Parker McCary lists her as JulyAnn Bell (nee Bradshaw), and indicates that her tombstone was inscribed "Wife of J. R. Bell, She lived as a Christian as a Christian Died. "

The death certificates of her sons George, Luther, and James Walter, however, all indicate that their mother's name was instead Julia Ann "Annie" SMITH. Perhaps the confusion in her last name arose due to the fact that Julia Ann's son, Bob, did marry a Julia Ann Bradshaw.