Bell 4&5 and 6&7

For pictures and other info visit:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSvcid=117351&GRid=43793568

4. James Hugh Bell & 5. Wilda Elizabeth Loftis {Lowndes Co. MS}

2/6/1875, James born in Oktibbeha Co., MS., s/o 8. James T Bell & 9. Mary Jane McCollum.
11/20/1878, Wilda born in Lowndes Co., MS., d/o 10. Perry Oliver Loftis & 11. Della Elizabeth Kidd.
No.8:(S) 1880 Census. James, MS, OktCo., Distr147, Bt2.
No.10:(S) 1880 Census. Wilda, MS, LownCo., Bt3.
No.10:(S) 1900 Census. Wilda, MS, LownCo., 17-TWP.
1/10/1900, James married Wilda in LownCo., MS, (S) Co. Court Records. Bk. 20, P. 596. (S) Bell Family Bible.
6/15/1900, (S) 1900 Census, MS, OktCo., Starkville, 4-WD. 1900 census: James is a retail grocer. Living with them: G Morgan is James’ maternal uncle, Margaret is his maternal grandmother.
1906, “Bell, J H, (Wilda), mgr Singer S M Co, res 1103 N 8th Av, Tel 314.” (S) 1906 City Directory of Columbus, MS, P18. James’ mother lives with them.
Bef. 1907, they moved to Potts Camp Town, Marshall Co., MS.
4/16/1910, (S) 1910 Census, MS, Marshall Co., Potts Camp Town, BT-5. Fb: SC. Occ: Minister. Can read and write. Owns house free of mortgage.
Before 1913, they moved to Columbus, MS.
(S) ~ 1913, James compiled and edited “Church Directory” of First Methodist Church, Columbus, MS. Addr.: 1103 N. 8th St. (S) MS State Archives in Jackson, MS. 286.1762973 B433c.
1918, “Bell James H Rev (Wilda), res 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P84. James’ mother Mary lives with them.
9/9/1918, (S) WWI Draft Registration, LownCo., MS. James is a self-employed minister in Columbus, MS. Wilda is listed as closest relative. He is described as tall and slender, with grey eyes and grey hair.
1/12/1920, (S) 1920 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus, 4-WD, 18-TWP, Range 1. Fb: SC. Owned home with a mortgage. Occ: Minister for 1st Methodist Church.
4/7/1921, they are living in Columbus, MS. James’ occupation is a Methodist Evangelist. (S) Birth Certificate of son John Edward Bell (No. 2).
1922, “Bell James H Rev (Wilda), h 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1922 City Dir. of Columbus, P86. James’ mother Mary lives with them.
1925, “Bell Wilda E, r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P48. James’ mother Mary, son Sidney, and daughter Madeline live with her. James is not living in Columbus.
10/1927, Sisters Wilda in LownCo., Jennie Lou in OktCo., and Bessie living in MN sue their brother William Ward Loftis. The 4 are the “sole and only heirs of Perry O. Loftis, deceased.” (S) Chancery Court Records, Col. Libr., Columbus, MS.
1928–1929, “Bell James H (Wilda), historian, h 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1928–1929 City Dir. of Columbus, P49. Their children Sidney, Wilda, and Madeline live with them.
4/4/1930, (S) 1930 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. R1157. Occ: Advertising salesman. He is unemployed. James H Jr., 16 is not listed.
1931, “Bell Jas H (Wilda) adv h1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1931 City Dir. of Columbus, P40.
1936, “Bell Jas H (Wilda) h1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1936 City Dir. of Columbus.
1/14/1938, they live in Columbus. (S) Obituary of daughter Madeline.1941, “Bell J H & Willie, h 604 5th St”. (S) 1941 City Dir. of Columbus. [This must have been compiled in 1940 before Wilda died.]
1/13/1941, Wilda died in Columbus, MS. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 358, Columbus, MS.
1942, “Bell, Jas H, h 305 3rd S.” (S) 1942 City Dir. of Columbus. He lives in the home of son Sidney.
1947, “Bell, James H, slsmn, h 305 3rd S.” (S) 1947 City Dir. of Columbus.
~ 1952, James was moved to a nursing home in Jackson, MS.
12/18/1954, James died in Jackson, MS. (S) Gunter Funeral Home record, 12/20/1954. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 358, Columbus, MS.

Family notes:
• The Loftis family plantation was located in Steens, Lowndes Co., MS on the AL border.

Children of James and Wilda:

i. Thomas Leslie Bell, born 8/25/1903 in MS.
1/31/1905 died. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 358, Columbus, MS.

ii. Sydney Wade Bell, born 6/18/1907 in Potts Camp, Marshall Co., MS
No.4:(S) 1910 Census.
No.4:(S) ~ 1913, “Church Directory” of First Methodist Church. n: “Sidney”
No.4:(S) 1920 Census.
1922, “Bell Sidney W, student, bds 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1922 City Dir. of Columbus, P86.
1925, “Bell Sidney W r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P48. He is living with his mother, grandmother, and sister.
1928–1929, “Bell Sidney student, r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1928–1929 City Dir. of Columbus, P49. He is living with his parents, and sisters Madeline and Wilda.
No.4:(S) 1930 Census. Occ: Show Director in the Stage industry.
1933, Sydney visited his aunt Bess Loftis Kelly in Chicago.
By 1937, Sydney had moved to New York City, NY. John visited him in the summer.
1/14/1938, Sydney lives in Camden, NJ.
3/17/1941 “Sidney” enlisted in the Army as a Warrant Office and was sent to Camp Shelby. Sydney had 3 years of college, was 70 inches tall, and weighed 175 pounds.
1942, “Bell, Sidney W, USA, r 305 3rd S.” (S) 1942 City Dir. of Columbus. His father lives in his home; he is in North Africa in the Army. He served as a Chaplain’s aid, playing the piano for religous services.
WWII: Sydney served in the USO and traveled around the theater of operations. [See CD.] He sent his pay back to his father in Columbus, MS.
11/1945, Sydney left Columbus, MS.
1951, Sydney spent 3 weeks in London working for Welles Tours. When his work with Welles was over, he stayed in London. With the help of “a little old man named Horace Ledfeather” he researched Bell genealogy in the British Museum.
Bef 1/8/1956, Sydney moved to CA: (S) A letter to his sister Wilda.
     5417½ Santa Monica Blvd.
     Los Angeles 29, California
One of Sydney’s surviving scripts: “Boy Ranger” – see CD Misc Graphics. [At some point the co-author also moved in with Sydney.]
12/27/1965 Sydney lived at: (S) A letter to his sister Wilda.
     1140½ N El Centro Blvd.
     Hollywood 28, California
7/7/1966, Sydney died. (S) CA Death Index. Cremation in Chatsworth, CA. Cause of Death: Lung cancer.
[Sydney never married.]

iii. Mary Madeline Bell, born 7/21/1907 in MS. (S) Bell Family Bible.
No.4:(S) 1910 Census.
No.4: (S) ~ 1913, “Church Directory” of First Methodist Church. n: “Madeline”.
No.4: (S) 1920 Census.
1925, “Bell Madeline student r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P48. She is living with her mother, grandmother, and brother.
1928–1929, “Bell Madeline student, r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1928–1929 City Dir. of Columbus, P49. She is living with her parents, sister Wilda, and brother Sidney. [She attended MSCW.]
7/1930, Madeline married William Tally Bains Jr., born 3/31/1903.

1931, they lived in Birmingham, AL.
1934, they moved to in Albertville, AL.
1/14/1938, a Friday at 6 PM, Madeline died in the Birmingham hospital after the childbirth of twins, neither surviving; buried in Memorial Hill Cem., Albertville, AL. (S) 1/21/1938 Albertville Newspaper. [The funeral service was the following Sunday – survived by husband and 2 children.]
1960, William died; buried with Mary.
Children:
[Living daughter.]
William Talley Baines III, “Bubs”, born 2/4/1936 in Columbus, MS.
1973, they lived at 615 E Main St., Albertville, AL. 35950.
1992, he died in Albertville, AL.

iv. Wilda Elizabeth Bell, born 6/15/1909 in Brooksville, MS.
No.4:(S) 1910 Census.
No.4:(S) ~ 1913, “Church Directory” of First Methodist Church.
No.4:(S) 1920 Census.
1926, Wilda graduated S. D. Lee High School in Columbus. (S) Graduation Group Picture.
1928–1929, “Bell Wilda student, r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1928–1929 City Dir. of Columbus, P49. She is living with her parents, sister Madeline, and brother Sidney
No.4:(S) 1930 Census.
1930, Wilda graduated from the MS State College for Women, Columbus, MS.
7/19/1930 a Saturday at 9 AM at the First Methodist Church of Columbus, Wilda married Robert C. Gore Jr., born 8/4/1903. (S) Wedding Announcement.
1932, they lived in St. Louis, MO. (S) Birth of Daughter.
1/1937–1938, they lived in Murphysboro, IL. John (No. 2) lived with her for about 2 years. (S) Obituary of her sister Madeline.
~1940, they moved to Montgomery, AL. (S) Amidst the Fray, 2006, William M Mounger, P344.
~1949, They moved to New Orleans, LA.
1953, they moved to Jackson, MS.
1/8/1956, they lived at 1319 Peachtree St., Jackson, MS. (S) Letter from brother Sydney.
5/17/1975 Robert died in Jackson, MS; buried with Wilda.
1/30/2007, Wilda died at her home in Jackson; buried in Lakewood Memorial Park Cem.
Children: [Living daughter.]

v. James Hugh Bell, Jr., born 7/22/1913 in MS.
No.4: (S) 1920 Census.
4/3/1930, (S) 1930 Census, MS, Hinds Co., Jackson. James a patient in the MS State Insane Asylum.
12/13/1934, James died. (S) Gravestone. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 358, Columbus, MS.

vi. Living son.


For a picture of William and Elizabeth visit:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43692277

6. William Edward Dollahite & 7. Elizabeth Olion Stemm {Madison Co. TN}
12/14/1888, William, “Eddie”, born in Memphis, TN; s/o 12. Robert Ervin Dollahite & 13. Roxsie L Smith. (S) WWI Draft Reg & (S) Dollahite Family Bible.
8/14/1887, Elizabeth born in Jackson, Madison Co., TN, d/o 14. William Duncan Stemm & 15. Susan Rebecca Clark. (S) Birth Certificate, TN, D156189.
No.12:(S) 1900 Census. William, n: ”Eddie”, MS, Tallahatchie Co., Harrison.
No.14:(S) 1900 Census. Elizabeth, TN, Madison Co., 3WD, Jackson.
No.12:(S) 1910 Census. MS, Alcorn Co., Corinth. “Eddy” a bookkeeper; living at 1115 ? St next to Bush St.
No.15:(S) 1910 Census. Elizabeth, TN, Madison Co., Jackson, 4-WD.
6/22/1917, William, (S) WWI Draft Reg., Yalobusha Co., Water Valley, MS. He was a traveling salesman for the Morris Pkg. Co. of Memphis, TN. He is described as of medium height, medium build, blue eyes, and light hair.
7/2/1917, Eddie enlisted in WWI, serving in the Army, Battery A, 114th Field Artillery. Eddie's record indicates multiple engagements included the battle of the Meuse-Argonne in Sept. 1918.
11/1917, Eddie became a Corporal. (S) Honorable Discharge Papers.
4/7/1919, Eddied discharged from the Army at  Fort Oglethorpe, GA. He was given $101.82 separation pay and transportation to Memphis, TN.
6/15/1918, Elizabeth lives at 222 Gordon St., Jackson, with her brother Bryan. (S) Bryan’s Draft Reg. Card.
1/5/1920, (S) 1920 Census, TN, Madison Co., Jackson, 4-WD. Elizabeth is living with her sister Virginia’s family – mother and father were deceased, William was still in the Army. Elizabeth was a stenographer for a wholesale house. Her brother Wilson also lives with Virginia.
6/8/1921, Wednesday, at 6 PM, Jackson, TN at Elizabeth’s home of 222 Gordon St., William married Elizabeth. (S) Stemm Family Bible & (S) Dollahite Family Bible. Marriage performed by Rev. Blackmon.
1923, William bookkeeper. (S) Birth certificate of daughter Virginia3.
6/23/1925, living in Whipple, Yavapai Co., AZ, William wrote his will.
1/27/1926 at 11:35 on a Wednesday, William died in Madison Co., TN, Burial: Brown’s Cem. (S) Death Certificate & (S) Dollahite Family Bible. At the time of his death they were living at 277 Maryland St., Memphis, TN. His certificate is marked “NON RESIDENT”. He had been in a hospital for 7 days prior to his death. His parents are named on the certificate. Elizabeth provided the information. He died of “Chronic & pulmonary tuberculosis”. Place of burial was designated as Jackson, TN by “Hinton & Son”.
9/30/1927, Elizabeth and daughter attended the wedding of Edward’s little sister Alice (No.12viii) in Water Valley, MS. (S) Wedding Announcement.
4/9/1930, (S) 1930 Census, TN, Madison Co., Jackson, 4-WD. Elizabeth was a stenographer for an insurance company.
6/26/1942, Elizabeth issued a “delayed” birth certificate on affitdavits of Annie Clark (wife of Harvey, No. 30iv), Mattie W. Potts, B Grayson, and a certified copy of the Family Bible Record.
Elizabeth retired from working at Caldwell and Hicks Insurance Agency. She served as a President of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
7/7/1972, Elizabeth died at Froman’s Nursing Home in Jackson, Madison Co., TN. Burial: Brown’s Cem. Her 3 Diffee nephews were pallbearers. (S) Dollahite Family Bible.  (S) Jackson Sun Obituary.

Family notes:

• William’s will abstract: To wife, Elizabeth Stemm Dollahite entire estate, including property in Prescott, AZ; an exception to same, $1000 to be placed in First National Bank, Jackson, for his daughter, Virginia Doris Dollahite until she reached the age of 18 years and 6 months and then to be hers. Wife to serve as executrix without making bond as such.
• ii. Martha Dollahite, born ~ 1926 in TN. This person is not known to exist – yet she appears in the 1930 Census as a daughter. She would be the right age for a child born about the time William died. No records have been found of her outside of the census record, and she is not remembered by daughter Virginia or her cousin Dorothy Diffee Rogers.

Child of William and Elizabeth:

i. Living daughter.