Joseph M. Bell

BELL, Joseph M. - Father and Son Succumb Within a Few Hours of Each Other-Young Wife Very Sick - Never before in the history of our little city have we been called upon to witness the like of the deaths of two of our most estimable citizens within a few hours of each other in the same home and of the same fatal disease, pneumonia.

Mr. J.M. Bell was taken ill about ten days ago and grew steadily worse until the end came Sunday afternoon, April 12, at 5:20 o'clock.

His son, Dr. Vincent B. Bell, who has been in Chicago all winter, attending the Chicago Veterinary College, had only returned to his home here Saturday, April 4th. He was feeling badly, had taken a deep cold and his system was full of malaria. Shortly after his arrival his father took his bed and Dr. Bell assisted his mother and his wife in caring for him until he grew worse, and a nurse was called in. Dr. Bell took his bed the following Monday, and it was the opinion of the attending physician that he was very ill from the first, pneumonia in the worst form having set in. He grew rapidly worse, though every thing possible was done for his relief. He succumbed at 4 o'clock Monday morning, just ten hours after his father passed away. The young wife of Dr. Bell was taken ill on Sunday, pneumonia developing at once, and now lies critically ill at the home.

This peculiarly sad affliction has cast a gloom over our town and the surrounding country. Two stalwart looking men cut down so suddenly is apt to excite universal sympathy. We know the aged must soon pass away, so as to conform to God's laws, and as the father said a few days prior to his death, "I have been wonderfully blessed; I have lived my three score years and ten, and am now staying here on borrowed time. I am ready, "nay" I am waiting for the summons to be called hence." Such a consolation for those loved ones who are left. It is hard for us to understand why the son had to go, when his young life was so full of promise and when his usefulness is the greatest. He, too, like his father, was prepared for the summons. While in Polytecnic College at Ft. Worth, Texas, he was converted and joined the Methodist church. He was then about 17 years of age, the same that his father, years ago, had consecrated his life to God. Thus we see two Godly lives pass to their reward.

J.M. Bell was born in Calloway County, Mo., Aug. 8, 1832. When just a boy he gave his life to Christ and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, South. During his life he has filled every office in the Sunday school and the church except that of the minister. His one remaining son has the following to say of his father. "By his untiring zeal and labor, by his example and exhortation he has been the means of bringing hundreds of souls to the kingdom of God. He has stood at all times on questions of church and state for Christian principles. His life has been a shining light, his faith steadfast his hopes ever brightening and completing his life work. The battle is fought, the victory won, he has gone from us, but blessed be the thought that we shall see him again." Aug 12, 1858, he was united in holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Juan Norfleet of Miller County., Mo. To this union were born four children, three of whom survive him. He was a gallant Confederate soldier and participated in the battle of Prairie Grove.

The funeral services were held from the Methodist church Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock, the pastor, Rev. W.B. Wolf, officiating, and the bodies were laid to rest in one grave in the Prairie Grove cemetery, the Masonic Order performing the burial rites. The Masonic Brotherhood and members of the Prairie Grove Camp of Confederate Veterans attended in a body. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/16/1914]

.Mr. Dewitt Bell of Godebo, Okla., Mr. and Mrs. George A. Pemberton of Denver, Colo., and Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Holt of Midland, Texas were present during the illness of their father and brother. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/16/1914]