Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Bell, James 1891
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net April 10, 2011, 5:41 pm

The Ionia Daily Standard, Monday, March 23, 1891

James Bell, whose precarious condition has been noted, died at his home in 
Petoskey on Saturday evening.  He was a son of Hon. A. F. Bell, of this city, 
and was an Ionian born and bred.  He changed his home from Ionia to Petoskey 
in 1875, where he has since resided, and where he has occupied a prominent 
position in business affairs.

James Bell’s natural energy of character has also been felt to a considerable 
extend in politics, although he has not been a frequent candidate for office.  
He was on the democratic ticket for register of deeds, four years ago, and was 
defeated by a very small margin, on account of local questions connected with 
the rivalry of neighboring towns and not for personal reasons.

He was married in 1877 to Miss Libbie Rose, daughter of one of the most 
prominent men of the north country, who with one child survives.  Two children 
have been lost by death.

Fourteen years ago, Mr. Bell was shot by a drunken man, who entered the room 
where he was asleep, and commenced firing in a promiscuous and devil-may-care 
manner.  The ball struck in the throat and the wound was probed seven inches 
without finding the ball.  James’ supply of grit carried him through this 
crisis, in spite of the opinion of the doctors, but it is thought the ball may 
have been the cause of his death at last, as the chief cause of trouble was in 
the throat, where large pockets of pus were found.  Mr. Bell fell from a barn 
roof, two years ago, falling seventeen feet and striking a hard frozen 
surface, breaking his ankle bones and, of course, causing a severe jar to the 
system.  It is thought this fall may have started the ball from its place, and 
thus led to the recent trouble.  It is possible too that the shock thus caused 
may have paved the way for some new disease.  It is certain that Mr. Bell has 
failed from the day of the accident.  Only an autopsy could reveal whether the 
death was finally caused by the pistol ball.

The funeral was announced to take place at 2 o’clock this afternoon, and 
interment will be at Petoskey where his children are buried.  Mrs. S. B. 
Gorham, a sister, has been with him several days, and Mr. Gorham and Mrs. J. 
C. Jennings, also a sister, left for there Saturday night.  Mr. Bell’s age was 
42.


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