James H. Bell was the husband of Caroline and the father of George Harrison, Henry H., James Jefferson, Jane Ellen, Malachi, Galveston, Cynthia Ann, Mary Elizabeth Rebecca Joplin Wire, Priscilla Melissa Holland, Martha Ellen, William V., and Alzona Faye Bell.∼James was the son of George William Bell. His father died in Charleston, SC from Cholera on Sept. 4, 1836. He was 56 years old.

Elijah H. Bell was James's brother.

James and Caroline Jane Harrison were living in TN about 1825 when they were married. As a young man he had a spirit of adventure, always looking for a better place to live. He did well at farming wherever he lived, but "wander lust" continued throughout his life.

He and Caroline had 12 children, seven of whom were born while they lived in TN: George Harrison, Henry H., James Jefferson, Jane Ellen, Malichi, and Cynthia Ann.

From TN he and Caroline, his brother, Elijah, and his family, and Caroline's father Henry Harrison, moved to Otterville, Cooper Co. Here Caroline gave birth to her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Rebecca Joplin Wire.

From MO they moved to Cove Creek, Washington Co, AR and settled on a farm with rich fertile land. It was here that their last four children were born: Priscilla Melissa Holland, Martha Ellen, William Riley, and Alzona Faye.

Times were good until the Civil War, which had a profound and lasting impact on their lives. The War Between the States soon involved them and their neighbors. The Bells and their Wilhite neighbors were among the few who were staunch supporters of the Union who were adamantly opposed to secession of the state and against slavery.

This proved to be an especially stressful period for James and Caroline. In 1861, they were grieving because they had lost their daughter, Jane Ellen, who had died after giving birth to twins. At that time they had assumed the full responsibility of raising her two year old daughter, Cynthia. They were also troubled because of their son, George, who demonstrated that his loyalties were with the South.

On April 10, 1864, both the Wilhite father and son were killed at the Wilhite farm by raiders. Their deaths influenced James and Caroline and some of their children to return to Cooper Co, MO where they had once lived happily.

When they arrived in MO they found a home in Lebanon Township about 5 miles northwest of Otterville and 11 miles northeast of Sedalia. It was a log house with wooden shutters located on the west side of the Lamine River, about one-quarter of a mile from Clifton City. Some descendants claim that Caroline and James operated a ferry at a crossing point in this vicinity.

Although the war had ended, its aftermath was especially harsh in this part of the country. Roving bands of marauders, with no loyalty to either cause, roamed the countryside during the war. However, the war’s end had not brought an end to their activities.

Their granddaughter, Cynthia, later talked about the raids when bushwhackers came to their house. They did a thorough job of searching people’s homes and took anything of value. They cut up feather beds and pillows, scattering feathers everywhere, trying to find where valuables were hidden.

Grandpa Bell started keeping some belongings in a cave out behind their house through the orchard. He kept a big rock in front of the opening to hide it from view. When danger threatened, he would grab up some items and run for the cave. However, now that he was in his sixties, it was getting harder for him to get away without being seen, so he came up with a plan to slow down anyone who might be after him. He stretched wire between some of his trees so any pursuers would trip when they chased him through the orchard.

July 4, 1876, marked the nation’s centennial year. Missouri was now at peace with memories of the war, and the bad times fading into the past. Old wounds were healing, the land was once again productive, and prosperity had returned to Cooper County. On this day in Otterville, everyone, including the Bells, turned out for the biggest celebration in the small town’s history. It was a picnic, as well as a town meeting, with all of the obligatory activities and speeches.

Their son, Galveston, died on February 17, 1882, in Cincinnati, Washington County, Arkansas. He came down with typhoid fever just before he and his wife, Martha, started to Clifton City. James and Caroline evidently had heard from Galveston’s wife and wrote to let Malichi and his brothers know about his death.

James and Caroline were being persuaded to move back to AR at the encouragement of their daughter, Priscilla, and her husband, Ed Sharp.

“Clifton, City Cooper County
March 27, 1882
Dear Sons and Daughter,
I take the pleasant opportunity to write you a few lines to inform you we are all well as common. Your letter from us all well. We are all very busy at this time preparing to plant corn but on account of sudden change of weather, we think it best to wait awhile yet. We hope these few lines may find you enjoying better health than you have been in here before.

We have just received a sad and grievous letter from Washington County, Ark, stating the death of poor Galveston Bell. Poor boy left the walk of men the 17th of last February. He was sick 17 days, he died of typhoid fever. He had sold out and had his team and wagon and nothing to do, but put his things in the wagon to come see us and was stopped by taken down an died on the 17th, Feb.1882.

We cant hear anything from George and Henry since Henry left here and we want you to write to Henry and hear of Galveston’s death and tell him we are all well and getting ahead on the farm here. Had a letter from Ed and Hollen a few days since they were all well as common begs us to sell out and move there. Ed is selling corn, wheat and baken and is getting along fine.

I think if I could sell to justify myself I would move South and spend my last breath somewhere South, for I am getting (tired) of this prison bound County where we have no elbo room as we have no more interest. We will close for the time hoping to hear from you soon. Excuse my pencil marks so we remain your old pa and ma till death.
J. H. Bell and Car Bell”
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Letter written by their son, James, to their son, Malichi.
“Newtonia, Mo
May 10, 1884
Dear Brother Mal,
I received yesterday was glad to hear you, & hear that you were all well. . . . I have just receved a letter from father. He has not been well since you left & has lately fell in the fire & burn his hans & face badly but are geting better of it.”
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James died at 5:00 a.m. on June 3, 1884, and was buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Otterville beside Eleanor and Bailey H. Bell, both whom had died in the 1870’s. He was 81 years old.

Gil Bergman took a photograph of the tombstone, located in the older section of the cemetery, on Sunday, October 29, 2006. It was lying on the ground, covered by weeds, and only a small portion of the stone was visible. He assumed it had been knocked over accidentally when the lawn was being mowed. The 122 years old tombstone is in disrepair, and the lower portion is missing and can’t be found. This damage has occurred within the last five years when the tombstone was known to be sitting upright.

Gil said, “James H. Bell is buried in the southern half of the cemetery, on the northern boundary of the town of Otterville. The cemetery is 8/10 of a mile north of the junction of County Road A and County Road BB. Go north on County Road BB. County Road BB follows the same route as Boonville Street until County Road BB diverts to the left (west). Continue north on Boonville Street after the roads separate. The pavement will turn to gravel about 1/10 of a mile before you come to the cemetery. The cemetery will be to the right (east) side, next to the road.” He propped it up to take the photo, and placed it back where he had found it. He said, “The remaining portion of the headstone is 18” tall, 10 5/8” wide and 2” thick. It currently lies flat on the ground.”

Compiled and summarized by Virginia Brown from the book I wrote about James and Caroline Bell and their children.