JOHN PORTER BELL                        GRAVESTONE PHOTO                      

The Baldwin Ledger, Friday, Dec. 1, 1916, Pg. 1

Vol. XXXIV, No. 14

John Porter Bell.

  John Porter Bell was born in Indiana county, Penn., Jan. 13, 1842, and died at his home in Baldwin, Nov. 26, 1916, aged 74 years, 10 months, and 11 days.  He was a veteran of the Civil War.  On May 30, 1861, he enlisted as a private and served three years in Company E, 11th Pennsylvania Regiment.  He was wounded at the Seven Days Battle before Richmond and spent 40 days in Libby Prison.

  He was married April 13, 1863, to Millie J. Waterman of Westmoreland county, Pa.  In September of that year they moved to Kansas.  He purchased from the government what is now the family homestead in Palmyrn township near Black Jack.

  To this union were born four children:  Frank and John, Mrs. Jennie Fuhs and Mrs. Eva D Skinner, who with their mother, survive him.

  He was converted in the Old Stone church at Black Jack and, together with Mrs. Bell, united with the Presbyterian church near their home.  His membership has continued with this church ever since.

  In 1906 they moved from their farm to Baldwin, where he presided at the time of his death.

  He was a staunch citizen, a noble husband, and a good father.  He was active in all the development of this county through the years.

  The funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian church on last Tuesday afternoon and the church was crowded with friends and neighbors who had come to testify to the high esteem in which he was held.

  The address was made by Rev. T. B. Gray of Kansas City, Kansas, cousin of the deceased.  He was assisted by Dr. S. S. Klyne of this city.  Interment was in Oakwood cemetery.