James Jefferson Bell, the third of James and Caroline Bell's children, was born near Camden in Humphreys County, Tennessee, on Wednesday, March 6, 1833. He was the brother of my gg-grandmother, Jane Ellen (Bell) Vance.

The Neosho Times - May 7, 1925: "We want to name another one of our aged citizens, as one was mentioned last week, J.J. Bell, who is in his 94th year, and is as sprightly as most men of 40 years. He has been a successful farmer and stock man and a good financier. He is known over the county as a charitable man who lets not the left hand know what the right hand does. He runs his farm of 200 acres, oversees it, and can be seen any day driving his team, or in town driving his car. He has never been known to miss Sunday school and church for 50 years, unless on account of sickness. He has been an official in the Baptist church for many years, and was a charter member of the church here. He has been a power behind the throne."

The above is a fitting tribute to a man who was held in high esteem by his community. Normally an article of this nature would appear upon ones death, but it would be another year before his passing. Actually, at the time of the above article, he was in his 92nd year. James was the most prominently known of all of James and Caroline's children and was one of the most respected citizens in Newtonia, Missouri, where he lived from 1867 until his death in 1926. News articles published in Newtonia by The Newton County News from 1890 to 1907, and other articles in various Newton County newspapers, over the years, have yielded a rich source of information about him, his family, and the community in which they lived.

James Jefferson Bell was born near Camden, Benton County, Tenn., March 6, 1833. He is a son of James W. and Caroline (Harrison) Bell, and grandson of George Bell. Mrs. Caroline Bell was the daughter of Henry Harrison, a farmer and stock dealer of Sumner County, Tenn. In 1843 James W. Bell removed with his family to Cooper County, Mo. and followed agricultural pursuits for three years. He then moved to Washington County, Ark., and at the end of eighteen years returned to Cooper County, Mo., where he passed the remainder of his active life. He died in 1884, at the age of eighty-one years. His widow now lives with her daughter in Cooper County, Mo.

James married Miss Syrena (Neal) Hart. Their children were: William, Martha, Joseph, Jacob Franklin, and Mary.

James opened another chapter in his life four years after Syrena's death. On Wednesday evening, March 7, one day after his sixty-seventh birthday, he married an attractive young lady, Mona Laska Pearson, who was only 27 years old.

James and Mona had three children: Eva Ester, Sherman McKinnley, and Russell Warren. They had a marriage, which lasted 26 years. He died at home on October 4, 1926 at 12:01 a.m. He had lived 93 years, 6 months, and 27 days. Dr. H.L. Wilbur, his physician, determined that his death was caused by chronic nephritis.

An obituary by Rev. J.M. Campbell was published in Neosho's Miner & Mechanic on October 15, 1926: "The Passing of J.J. Bell - James J. Bell, for many years a leading citizen of Newton county, died at his home in Newtonia, Sunday, October 3rd, at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 27 days. The funeral services were held at the Newtonia Baptist church on Tuesday, October 5th, conducted by Rev. Luther Carlin, pastor of the First Baptist church of Peirce City, Rev. L.H. Maples, pastor of the First Baptist church of Neosho, and Rev. J.M. Campbell of the Granby Baptist church. A large congregation was present to pay their last respects to one whom they loved. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F Cemetery at Newtonia.

James Jefferson Bell was born in Benton county, Tenn., March 6, 1833. He came to Missouri at an early day and endured many hardships as a leader in developing the country a short distance north of Newtonia, where he settled on arriving from his native state. He professed faith in Christ in the year 1874, and immediately afterwards identified himself with the Baptist church of Newtonia, and a little later was ordained a deacon by the church, and as which he gave more than fifty years of his life to the teaching, training and progress of his church and people.

It was the writer's pleasure to serve as pastor of the church at Newtonia for two years, closing the work there only a short time ago. We always found him in his place in the church, except when sickness or unavoidable circumstances hindered. His home was the home of the preacher; he was conscious of the sacrifices of the ministers. Many ministers have been strengthened, encouraged and overjoyed because of the hospitality in his home. He was much interested in the progress of his community in every way that meant development and progress for his people. He leaves to mourn his departure a devoted companion, six children and many other relatives and friends who deeply mourn his going. Mr. Bell was much loved by the people of his community and all who knew him. J.M. Campbell"

Most of the above information came from a lengthy chapter about James in my book titled "The Family of James and Caroline Bell."

Researched & compiled by Virginia Brown
April 2009