Martha and Robert Bell of Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Photo source: Comanche County History, page 249.
Martha and Robert Bell of Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Photo source: Comanche County History, page 249.
Robert S. Bell was born October 5, 1846, in Randolph County, North Carolina. He was the son of William and Lavina Bell. When just a small lad, he moved with his parents to Marshalltown, Iowa, where they resided for a year, then moved with his parents to Laclede county, Misouri, then later to Dade County, Missouri. He was an older brother of John D. Bell.
Mildred Adams Bell was born January 22, 1850, at Middleton, Fayette county, Ohio. When a small child, she moved with her parents to Laclede County, Missouri. Her parents were William and Mary Adams. On October 4, 1870, Robert S. Bell and Mildred Adams were united in marriage at Lebanon, Laclede County, Missouri, and for 63 years they lived a happy life together.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Millie came to Comanche County, Kansas, in 1884 and homesteaded a farm two miles west of Wilmore. They lived there six years, then moved to Napa, California, where they lived until 1927, when they returned to make their home in Wilmore, Kansas. They were both faithful members of the Methodist Church. Uncle Bob was a very active member in the Masonic Bodies. Aunt Millie was a member of the Eastern Star for 53 years.
They enjoyed living their senior years in the Wilmore community very much. There were many happy occasions with family members and their old friends.
Uncle Bob passed away May 21, 1933, at the age of 87 years, and Aunt Millie passed away May 28, 1937 at the age of 87 years. They are buried in the Wilmore Cemetery.
-- By Geneva B. Pepperd, (A Great Niece), Comanche County History, pp. 249, 250.
The Wilmore News, October 10, 1930. WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Miss Millie J. Adams and Robert S. Bell were married at Lebanon, Mo., October 4, 1870. Miss Bell was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and Mr. Bell is a native of Guilford county, North Carolina. Mrs. Bell came to Missouri in 1867, coming directly from Ohio, and Mr. Bell arrived there in the same year by way of Indiana and Iowa. About three years after their marriage, they removed to California, where they remained until 1879, when they returned to Missouri. They resided in Missouri until 1884 when they came to Kansas and settled about three miles northwest of Wilmore. In 18__ (appears to be 1894) they returned to Missouri for a stay of one year when they again turned their faces westward and went to Washington state and later to California where they remained until 1927. During their stay in California, Mr. Bell worked at the carpenter and painter's trade for a number of years. Following this time he was superintendent of the Masonic home in Napa, Calif. In 1927 Mr. and Mrs. Bell returned to Wilmore where they are now making their home. Mr. Bell was 84 years of age Sunday and Mrs. Bell passed her 81st birthday in January, but they are still active and enjoy attending the services of their church and lodges as well as to visit with their many friends.
In honor of this memorable occasion is the lives of these two people a dinner was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Pepperd on Saturday evening. Some of the old time friends and relatives were present to wish Mr. and Mrs. Bell Godspeed as they start on their 61st year of wedded life. Those present in addition to Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Pepperd and daughters, Frances and Geneva, were the guests of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Mrs. H. Baker, Mrs. Jessie Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Rich, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bird, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Pepperd, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Booth and family, John Bell, Mrs. Maggie Maple, Wilson Beebe and L. B. Sommers.
The Wilmore News, May 25, 1933. ROBERT S. BELL
Robert S. Bell was born October 5, 1864, in Randolph County, North Carolina, and went to his heavenly home May 21, 1933, his age being 86 years, 7 months and 16 days. He was united in marriage with Mildred Adams, October 4, 1870, and for 63 years, 7 months and 17 days they were permitted to enjoy sweet fellowship before the angels came to call him to heaven. They came to Kansas in 1884 and lived on a farm two miles west of Wilmore and here they lived happily for six years. They pre-empted the farm.
Mr. Bell joined the Masonic Lodge at Lockwood, Missouri in 1883, then became a charter member of the Coldwater lodge in 1885.
He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in California. He read his Bible and his faith in the unseen world was clear and hopeful. During the pastorate of Rev. Davis he affiliated himself with the Methodist church in Wilmore.
He had not been well for fourteen years succeeding an operation, and was taken to the Dodge City hospital April 27, 1933. But he was a patient sufferer and was cheerful under all pain. He was a kind, thoughtful husband, neighbor and friend, loved and respected for his upright life and happy spirit, and we shall miss his smiles and kind humor.
Two brothers preceded him in death, Charles and Frank, and beside his wife, there are left to mourn his going, a sister, Mrs. Jennie Armstrong of Hubbard, Oregon, and a brother,
J. D. Bell , of Wilmore.Mr. Bell expressed himself as ready to go, But dreaded to leave his wife who had so joyfully journeyed with him since their youth.
-----------------(words omitted in newspaper) the Wilmore Methodist Church, May 23, being conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. M. Alexander, assisted by J. P. Woods, pastor of the Baptist Church. A quartet composed of Virgil Alexander, Ray Bigbee, Voltos Richardson and Roderick Baker and accompanied by Miss Gwen Woods, sang his favorite hymns. The pallbearers were Ernest Hubbard, Everett Hubbard,
Van Lott , L. E. Baker and Perry Wall. His body was laid to rest in the Wilmore Cemetery.The sadness of passing is the separation of loved ones, for we feel like the poet did when he penned these true words.
When those we loved
Have come and gone,
"Tis weary to be left behind.
Too miss sweet eyes when late they shone,
To look for what we may not find
Long cherished forms that haunt the mind,
To live and miss them one by one,
Is weary work, who'd stay behind
When those we loved
Have come and gone.
But we shall be glad to meet him on the shores of immortality.
CARD OF THANKS We take this method of expressing most sincerely out thanks to the many kind friends for their expression of love and sympathy in the recent sorrow that has come to us. There is also an appreciation that can not be expressed in words to those who brought prepared dishes and extended their help in the hosuehold duties. May the time be far distant when death invades your homes, yet, when it comes may you have friends as true. Please accept our sincere thanks for all floral offerings, and for the kind words and flowers, that were sent while at the hospital.
Mrs. R. S. Bell.
Mr. J. D. Bell.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Booth and family.
Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Pepperd and family.
The Wilmore News, June 4, 1937. MRS. MILDRED BELL DIES AT HER HOME IN WILMORE
The people of this community were saddened by the sudden death of Mrs. Mildred Bell (known by her host of friends as Aunt Millie.) Mrs. Bell passed away Friday night at her home her in Wilmore. She was able to call on her neighbors Friday and visited with some before bedtime. Mrs. Bell was stricken with a heart attack about eleven o'clock and passed away in a short time.
Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist Church Monday afternoon with the pastor, Rev. J. H. Copley in charge. A male quartet composed of Nick Baker, Valtros Richardson, Royce Richardson and Ray Bigbee sang, "Beautiful Land," "Beautiful; Isle of Somewhere" and "Abide With Me." Mrs. Nick Baker presided at the piano. Pall bearers were Ernest Hubbard, Everett Hubbard, L. E. Baker, Perry Wall, C. V. Lott and C. R. Austin. The members of the Eastern Star attended in a body.
Burial was made in Wilmore cemetery.
The following obituary was furnished.
Obituary. Mildred Johnes Bell was born Jan. 22, 1850 at Middleton, Fayette Co., Ohio and departed this life at her home in Wilmore, Kansas May 28, 1937 at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 6 days.
She spent her childhood in Missouri. Oct. 4, 1870 she united in marriage to Robert S. Bell. They came to Comanche Co. in 1884 where she made her home on a farm two miles west of Wilmore, Kansas, for six years. She then moved with her husband to California where they resided until 1927, when they returned to Wilmore. Mr. Bell died in 1933. They spent a happy married life together for over 63 years.
Mrs. Bell has been a faithful member of the Methodist church for many years. She was also a member of the Eastern Star for over 53 years. She is survived by two brothers, Henry Allen Adams of Iona, Missouri and William Wesley Adams of Stanford, Ill. She also leaves several nephews and nieces and relatives by marriage and many friends who will greatly miss her.
BELL, Mildred J. : January 22, 1850 - May 28, 1937 O.E.S.
Note : Wife of Robert S.: Daughter of William and Mary Adams.
Comanche County History, p. 249
Lot #188, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.BELL, Robert S. : October 4, 1846 - May 21, 1933
Note : Husband of Mildred J. (Adams) Bell: Son of William and Lavinia Bell. Mason
Comanche County History, p. 249
Lot #188, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles and obituaries to this web site!This website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book.
This page was created 25 November 2003 and last updated 6 February 2006.
Robin Bell Powell, powell@odessaoffice.com, is researching the Bell family.