Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
WILLIAM F. BELL, who resides
about five miles northeast from Mold, is known as one of the industrious
farmers of the Big Bend country. In addition to handling his estate
of one-half section, where he resides, he has for the last two years, spent
a great deal of time in locating homeseekers in the country, having assisted
over fifty families to select good places in Douglas county.
William F. Bell was born in Surry county,
North Carolina, on December 23, 1854. His parents were William and
Lavina A. (Williams) Bell, natives of North Carolina, and they are still
living on the homestead in Douglas county. Our subject was educated
in the common schools of Iowa and Missouri, whither his father had moved
with his family when our subject was quite young. After finishing
his school days, he learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for
some time. In 1883, Mr. Bell moved to Oregon, stopping in Douglas
county near Oakland and there followed his trade. It was 1886 when
he came to Lincoln county and gave attention to farming in the Egypt country.
In 1890, he took up a pre-emption in Douglas county, which is his present
home. He added a timber culture claim later and the whole is now
in a high state of cultivation. He has a farm well improved and supplied
with all kinds of machinery and everything necessary for a first-class
farm.
Mr. Bell has three brothers and one sister,
Robert S., John D., Charles, and Mrs. Martha J. Shook.
The marriage of Mr. Bell and Miss Dora P.
Hampton occurred on February 20, 1880, at Kingsport, Missouri. Mrs.
Bell's parents, Lindley H. and Phoebe J. (Richardson) Hampton, were natives
of Indiana and Ohio, respectively. She was born in Lee county, Iowa,
on April 1, 1867 and has the following brothers and sisters, John Frank,
James, Mrs. Gertrude Crumb and Mrs. Myrtle Viles.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bell, eight children have
been born: Lulu M., deceased; Martha J., wife of Lee Smith; Ida A., William
L., Charles R., John F., George A., deceased, and James L.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell are highly respected people.
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