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Submitted: 3/12/12 • Approved: 3/12/12 • Last Updated: 2/17/13 • R208871-G208870-S3
William A Bell
b. 7 Apr 1844 Quincy, Adams Co, IL
d. 1 Sep 1915 Omaha, Douglas Co, NE
Lydia E Reid Bell
b. 28 Oct 1850
d. 17 Oct 1948 San Antonio, TX
William Bell was the son of James Bell and Nancy Payne. In 1854 the family moved to Bellevue in Sarpy County and later to Washington County, NE; where William resided on a farm for several years.
When the Civil War broke out, William enlisted as a Private on 22 Oct 1862 at the age of 19. He mustered in Co A 2nd Nebraska Cavalry on 23 Oct 1862 and mustered out on 23 Dec 1863 at Omaha, NE.
William re-enlisted as a Private on 29 Feb 1864 at the age of 20 years and mustered in Co D 5th Iowa Cavalry on 1 Mar 1864. He was promoted to 4th Corporal on 18 Apr 1864, to 3rd Corporal on 1 Jan 1865, and to 5th Sergeant on 1 Jul 1865. He mustered out on 8 Aug 1865 at Nashville, TN.
William and Lydia Elizabeth Reid married in 1869 in Fort Calhoun, NE. They had the following known children: Maude C (Pflug), Edwin R, Frederick B, James D, David W, Albert, and Laura E (Newton).
The family moved to Sarpy County about 1885, locating on a farm south of Papillion, where they resided until moving to Dundee (Omaha) about 1899.
William was a successful farmer and business man. He spent many days in Papillion assisting his son, Fred Bell, in the construction of the Bell Drug Company. He was a member of the G.A.R. and while in Sarpy County helped organize and manage the Fair Association.
William was fatally injured by an Omaha fire truck that was responding to a small residential fire. William was crossing the street, failed to yield, and was struck. He died two days later at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 71 years 4 months. Lydia died in San Antonio, Texas, in 1948 at the age of 97 years. *Note: Daughter Laura (Newton) was a resident of San Antonio.
Buried Lot 29
Contributed on 3/12/12 by kweaver1017
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Record #: 208871