Malichi, the fifth of James H. and Caroline (Harrison) Bell's children, was born near Camden, Benton Co, TN, on May 2, 1837.

He was married twice. His first marriage was to Mary Etta Ann Clemmons in AR; the second was to Martha Ann S. Hilsabeck.

Malichi was six years old when his family moved to Cooper County, Missouri, in 1843. Within two years his parents moved to Cove Creek Township, Washington County, Arkansas. Over the years, his name has been shown with various spellings, the most common being Malachi. However, letters written by his parents address him as Malichi, and he is shown as Malichi on his death record, so this is probably most correct. Both spellings may appear here. In Ozark County, Missouri, where he lived many years before his death, he was known by friends and relatives as “Uncle Mal.” Some have claimed his middle name was Albert, but no sources or documents have shed any light on this.

Malichi and Martha were united in marriage by Judge Ellis on Wednesday, February 3, 1869. Malichi was 31 years old, and Martha was 16. Throughout his life, Malichi was devoted to Martha and their children and exhibited strength of character and loyalty in their marriage. Martha, a hard worker, demonstrated like qualities.

In the summer of 1880, Malichi was making chairs as a way to support the family. Perhaps he came by this talent naturally, for it is claimed that his grandfather, Harrison, and kin had been well known for their skills in furniture making. His nephew, Emanuel, was living with them and helping in the business. Emanuel was the son of his brother, Henry, and his wife, Sarah, who lived near Trail, Ozark County, Missouri.

Federal Census of Wood Township, Wright Co, MO, June 11, 1880, #70-72; Malachi Bell, age 45, chair maker, TN, VA, TN, Martha A. S., age 27, wife, keeping house, NC, Germany, NC, Henry D., age 11, son, at home, MO, TN, NC; James J., age 7, son, AR, TN, NC; Missouri J., age 5, daughter, AR, TN, NC; Parmelia, age 11 months, daughter, AR, TN, NC; Emanuel Bell, age 18, nephew, chair maker, AR, TN, AR.

Malichi was not only a maker of chairs he was a good blacksmith. He had also learned to make and repair guns. His great-granddaughter, Dorothy (Bell) White, said he was an accomplished gunsmith and at one time made a flintlock gun he called “Old Calvin.”

Ivory Leland Bell, son of James and Hattie Bell, told the following story about his grandfather, Malichi: “Grandpa Malichi Bell was a hardy and rugged individual, raised cattle and accumulated some money, including $1,000 he received from the sale of the pine on his homestead. There were no banks in the country that Malichi would trust, so in the west side of Malichi’s yard there was a large tree. At the base of this tree Malichi built a vault from flat rock. On top of this set three hives of bees, and in one of these hives was a black bee, that was very mean. One could not get within ten feet without being attacked, and this is where grandpa did his banking.”

Martha’s Death
Martha had a stroke on May 24, 1927 ... Dr. G.W. Taylor, their physician, was called to the house to see her. During the next two weeks, her condition steadily grew worse. ... Early Thursday morning, June 9, Dr. Taylor was once again called to her bedside, but there wasn’t anything he could do to help. She took her last breath at 8:25 a.m. On her death record, Dr. Taylor showed the cause of death as “apoplexy,” an old medical term used for cerebral hemorrhage. The following day she was buried in Walden Cemetery near her children. She had lived 75 years, 5 months, and 28 days.

Malichi’s Death
Malichi’s health started failing rapidly after Martha died. When James learned about his father’s condition, he and his family went to Brixey to offer their support. James was at his beside when Malichi died from kidney failure at 1:20 p.m., August 16, 1927. They had a graveside service, and he was buried beside Martha in Walden Cemetery.

Malichi had been under Dr. G.W. Taylor’s care six months before his death. Dr. Taylor’s first trip to the house was on February 8, 1927, and his last was on the day that Malichi died. Whether he was with him when he died is unknown. The cause of death, shown on his death certificate, is “Uremic Poison” from which he had suffered three years. An enlarged prostate, which Malichi had coped with for years, was the contributory cause of death. Jim and Henry Bell of Brixey were the informants on his death record, but they incorrectly stated some information. They believed that their father was born in Nashville, Tennessee. His parent’s names were recorded as James Bell, born in Tennessee, and Mary Harrison, born in Tennessee. Malichi was born near Camden in Benton County, Tennessee, and James was born in North Carolina. The name, Mary, should have been Caroline.

Dr. Taylor lived in Almartha, and news soon got around the community that Malichi was near death. An article was published in the Ozark County Times on August 19, 1927, after Malichi’s death: “Almartha Items - Dr. Taylor is quite busy visiting sick folks. Dr. Taylor was called to see Uncle Mall who is not expected to live.” A short notice of his death was published in the Ozark County Times on September 2, 1927: “Caney Items - Uncle Mal Bell died Tuesday and was buried Wednesday.”

The story of his life had been compiled in my book "The Family of James and Caroline Bell." Shown above are excerpts from my book.