John Thomas BELL & Mary Jane MCCOLLUM - Perry Oliver LOFTIS & Della Elizabeth KIDD

40. John Thomas BELL & 41. Mary Jane MCCOLLUM

7/1/1827, John born in SC; s/o 80. Hugh Bell & 81. Martha Montgomery. (S) Bell Family Bible.

1830, No.16:(S) 1830 Census, SC, Fairfield Dist. John m:<5 .="" o:p="">

1840, No.16:(S) 1840 Census, SC, Fairfield Dist. John m:10<15 .="" o:p="">

1844, John arrived in MS with his family from SC.

12/15/1850, Mary born in Pickens Co., AL, d/o 82. Jno S McCollum & 83. Margaret ?.

10/29/1850, No.16:(S) 1850 Census, OktCo. John is a farmer with his father.

7/7/1860, No.16:(S) 1860 Census, Starkville. John works on his father’s farm and has a personal estate of $2000.

7/7/1860, No.16:(S) 1860 Slave Schedule. John has one female slave 25 years old.

7/21/1860, No.18:(S) 1860 Census, Pickens Co., AL, Mary.

 1864, CSA: John T Bell, Private, Co. G, 14th MS Regt.

3/4/1865, From Starkville, a letter of James W. Bell (one of John’s older brothers) to his sister Elizabeth Bell Wiseman (who lives in Texas), “Dear Sister, … I have no doubt you have heard how father made his will. He left everything to John, Mary, Sarah and myself. … We have all agreed to make an equal division at mother’s death but some of them are not willing for that. … They are all mad at poor mother who had nothing to do with it … I have been attending the place ever since the war … If they free the negroes there will not be much left as the land is John’s. … I have been four trips to the war but ninety days is the longest time …”

7/1/1870, No.17:(S) 1870 Census, Starkville, MS. John works on his mother’s farm and has a personal estate of $2000, and real estate valued at $4800.

11/20/1873, John married Mary; he was 21 years older than her. (S) Bell Family Bible.

6/21/1880, (S) 1880 Census, MS, OktCo., Distr147, Bt2. Mary’s father is living with the family and working on the farm. They have a black female, Martha Huggins, working on the farm.

1885, “J Bell” father of “James Bell”, age 10. (S) Oktibbeha Educable Children, MS Records, 1/1991, P31. [This indicates daughter Lula was deceased.]

12/1889, John died in Starkville, MS; buried in the ARP Cem. (S) Bell Family Bible.

No.4:(S) 1900 Census. Mary indicates she has had 3 children, only 1 still living. She lives with her son James and his family.

1906, “Bell, Mrs Mary J, res 1103 N 8th Av.” (S) 1906 City Directory of Columbus, MS, P18. She lives with her son James and his family.

No.4:(S) 1910 Census. Mary indicates she has had 2 children, one of which is still living. She lives with her son James and his family.

~1913, Mary in “Church Directory” of First Methodist Church of Columbus, MS. (S) MS State Archives in Jackson, MS. 286.1762973 B433c.

1918, “Bell Mary J (wid John T), h 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P84. She lives with her son James and his family.

No.4:(S) 1920 Census. Mary lives with her son James and his family.

1922, “Bell Mary (wid John T), bds 1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1922 City Dir. of Columbus, P86. She lives with her son James and his family.

1925, “Bell Mary (wid John T), r1103 N 8th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P48. She is living with her daughter-in-law and two of her grandchildren.

2/23/1929 Mary died. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 358, Columbus, MS. (S) Columbus Commercial Dispatch, Monday 2/25/1929: Last Sad Service Held at Home of Son, Rev. J. H. Bell, on Yesterday. The lastrites for Mrs. Mary J Bell, age 78 years of age, were held from the home of her son, Rev, J. H, Bell, at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Rev. J. W. Ward, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, … Inernment was held at Friendship cemetery. … Mrs. Bell was the widow of the late John T. Bell of Starkville, Confederate veteran, who preceded her to the grave many years ago. She was born in Pickens County, Ala. Her married life was spent in Oktibbeha county … After the death of her husband some twenty years ago, she came to Columbus to make her home with her only child, Rev. J. H. Bell ….

Children of  James and Mary:

i. James Hugh Bell (20), born 2/6/1875 Oktibbeha Co., MS.

ii. Lura M Bell, born 5/1/1876 in Oktibbeha Co., MS.

No.8:(S) 1880 Census.

1884, Lula died as child; buried in ARP Cem., Starkville, MS.

42. Perry Oliver LOFTIS & 43. Della Elizabeth KIDD

Click to link to memorial.

9/22/1848, Perry born in Steens, LownCo., MS; s/o 84. Powell Loftis & 85. Mary Ann Thomas.

No.20:(S) 1850 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. n: “Oliver P”.

9/2/1855 Della born in Steens, LownCo., MS; d/o 86. John Brown Kidd & 87. Narcissa Ward.

No.20:(S) 1860 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. n: “Perry”.

No.22:(S) 1860 Census. Della, MS, LownCo., Caledonia.

~1864, CSA, Private, Perry served in Co. G, 12th MS Calvary as a drummer.

No.20:(S) 1870 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. n: “P O”. Farm laborer.

No.22:(S) 1870 Census. Della, MS, LownCo., Columbus, PD2.

10/1871, Della given $1000 in her father’s will.

9/24/1873, Della’s Uncle Alfred is named her guardian. (S) LownCo. Chancery Ct., #1749.

7/1874, “Della Kidd” named as John’s daughter the final estate papers of his will.

9/17/1874 in LownCo., MS, Perry married Della. (S) LownCo. MBk. 7, Pg. 71.

10/13/1876, (S) Will of Powell Loftis. Perry named as a son. [Powell died soon after.]

9/28/1877 in Columbus, Perry, sister Helena and her husband N H Nickels are involved in a lawsuit with the other members of the family over Powell’s estate. (S) Court Rcds. in Col. Libr.

12/8/1877, Perry received $321.38 for himself and $107.12 as guardian of Lee Drake from Powell’s estate settlement. (S) Court Rcds., Col. Libr.

6/22/1880, (S) 1880 Census, MS, LownCo., Bt3. Occ: farmer.

6/22/1900, (S) 1900 Census, MS, LownCo., 17-TWP. Perry is a farmer. Ward is a farm laborer. Della has had 4 children, all still alive.

4/19/1910, (S) 1910 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus, 4-WD. Occ: farmer. Both Perry and Della could read and write. Owned his home free of mortgage. Living at 1409  4th Ave. N. Della has had 4 children, all still alive.

Fall/1911, Perry signed daughter Bessie’s report card in Columbus, MS.

1914, “Loftis Perry O (Della), collr, res 1409 N 4th av.” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144. Daughters Jennie and Elizabeth [Bess] live with them.

1918, “Loftis Perry O (Della E), collr, res 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P129. Daughters Jennie and Elizabeth [Bess] live with them.

1/8/1920, (S) 1920 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus, 4-WD, 18-TWP, Range 1. Owned home free of mortgage. Occ: Public General Collector. Living at 1409 4th Ave. N.

1922, “Loftis Perry O (Della), h 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1922 City Dir. of Columbus, P148. Son William, his wife, and their daughter Helen [Perry and Della’s granddaughter] live with them.

12/14/1924, Della died in LownCo., MS. Burial: Woodlawn Cem., LownCo., MS.

1925, “Loftis Perry O, r1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P103. Wm, Irma and their daughter Helen live with him.

9/10/1926, Perry died in LownCo., MS. Burial: Woodlawn Cem., LownCo., MS.

Children of Perry and Della:

i.  Dr. William Ward Loftis, born 4/13/1875 in LownCo., MS. (S) WWI Draft Reg.

No.10:(S) 1880 Census.

No.10:(S) 1900 Census. Occ: farm laborer.

11/29/1905, William married Irma V Stephenson, born 8/29/1886 in AL. (S) LownCo. MB23, P305.

1906, “Loftis, W W, (Irma), life ins, res 124 N 9th St.” (S) 1906 City Dir. of Columbus, P58.

4/26/1910, (S) 1910 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. Occ: farmer.

1912, “Loftis Ward (Irma), vet surg, res 811 N 5th av.” (S) 1912 City Dir. of Columbus, P132.

1914, “Loftis Ward W (Irma), vet surg 526 main, res 1125 N 2d av.” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.

1918, “Loftis Ward W (Irma), vet surg 220 S 11th”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P129.

9/12/1918, WWI Draft Reg., MS, LownCo., Columbus. He lives at 220 11th St South in Columbus. He is a vetinary surgeon with his office at his home. “Irma” is listed as next of kin at the same address. He is described as medium height, medium build, blue eyes, and dark hair.

1/13/1920, (S) 1920 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. Occ: Animal Surgeon.

1922, “Loftis Wm W (Irma), vet surgeon, bds 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1922 City Dir. of Columbus, P148. Wm, Irma and daughter Helen live with his parents.

1925, “Loftis Wm (Irma), veterinarian, h 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1925 City Dir. of Columbus, P103. Wm, Irma and daughter Helen live with his father.

10/1927, Sisters Wilda in LownCo., Jennie Lou in OktCo., and Bessie Loftis Kelly 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.

1/17/1929 Irma died, buried in Friendship Cem. with William.

4/5/1930, (S) 1930 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. William a widow, living on 4th Ave. N. He is a veterinarian. Helen is a mail order clerk. William Jr is “soda dispenser” at a drug store.

1940, William and son Robert live at 510 7^th St. North, Columbus, MS. [This is a multi-family dwelling.] William pays rent of $5 a month. William had completed 4 years of college. Son Robert had completed 7^th grade. William a ‘veternarian’ in private practice. (S) 1940 Census.

William married Grace Frye. (S) Death record.

9/9/1945 William died in LownCo., MS. Burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 384, Columbus, MS.

Children:

Helen Cordelia Loftis, born 1907 in MS. (S) 1910,1920,1930 Census.

Frances Eloise Loftis, born 9/8/1908 in MS. (S) 1910 Census.

4/27/1911 she died; burial in Friendship Cem., Lot 384.

William Ward Loftis III, born 2/1910 in MS. (S) 1910,1920,1930 Census.

James O Loftis, born 7/22/1911 in MS. (S) 1920,1930 Census.

2/10/1942, He gave his age as 21 and enlisted in the Army; stationed at Fort Rosecrans, CA. He was separated 12/18/1945.

James married Dolly Ann Roberts.

4/26/1985, James died.

7/26/1985, James was buried in Riverside Natl. Cem., Riverside CA, section 20, site 1680.

Robert Cornelius Loftis, born 4/15/1925 in MS. (S) 1930 Census.

He married Phyllis ?.

11/21/2002, He died in Ashtabula, OH; cremated. Death record indicates he served in the Marines and was a widow. His parents are listed in the record.

ii. Wilda Elizabeth Loftis (21), born 11/20/1878 in MS;

iii. Jennie Lou Loftis, born 12/2/1889 in LownCo., MS.

No.10:(S) 1900 Census.

1906, “Loftis, Miss Jennie L, res 606 Military Rd.” (S) 1906 City Dir. of Columbus, P58.

No.10:(S) 1910 Census.

1912, Jennie graduated from II&T [later MSCW] in Columbus, MS. She taught English and Latin in high school in the MS delta.

1914, “Loftis Jennie Miss, bds 1409 N 4th av” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.

1918, “Loftis Jennie L Mrs, tchr, h 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P129.

9/12/1918, Charles, WWI Draft Reg., LownCo., MS. He gives his birthday as 12/3/1886. He lives in Crawford, and is a self-employed farmer. He lists his mother, living in Starkville, as his nearest relative.

11/6/1918, Jennie married Charles Keaton Hartness, born 1886 in Starkville, MS. (S) LownCo. MB26, P367. Charles attended MS A&M [later MS State Univ]. They met at the Woodlawn Cumberland Presbyterian Church – see Thomas Kidd ( 44i).

1/9/1920, (S) 1920 Census, MS, OktCo., Bt1. Charles is a farmer. They owned a mortgaged home on Robinson Rd. No children.

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.

5/3/1930, (S) 1930 Census, MS, OktCo., Bt5. Charles is a farmer in the “truck” industry. They own their home on Macon or Aberdeen Rd.

4/1/1935, Charles and family live in MS, Oktibbeha Co., Beat 5. (S) 1940 Census.

5/7/1940, Charles, Jennie Lou, daughter Martha and son Charles Jr. live in MS, Oktibbeha Co., Beat 5. They own their home valued at $1400. Charles completed 1 year of college. Jennie Lou completed 4 years of college. Martha has completed 1 year of college. Charles Jr has not attended school. Charles Sr. is a farmer. (S) 1940 Census.

11/2/1964, Charles died in Starkville, MS. (S) DAR Appl. of Martha..

12/25/1970, Jennie died in Starkville, MS. She is buried in Oddfellow Cem. with Charles.

Children:

Martha Louise Hartness, born 9/22/1921 in Sessums, OktCo., MS. (S) 1930 Census.

1943, Martha graduated from MSCW with a degree in Elementary Education.

WWII, Army, Leslie Otto Templeton, born 1/6/1922 in OktCo., MS.

12/13/1947 in Wayne Co., MS, Martha married Leslie,. (S) DAR Appl.

Leslie graduated from MS A&M with a degree in Dairy Science.

9/3/1978, Leslie died in Starkville, MS; buried in Memorial Gardens Cem.

5/8/1986, Martha applied for DAR membership. They were living at 102 Dunbrook Dr, Starkville, MS, 39759. [DAR appl. accepted 6/6/1986, No.701534].

7/8/2000, Martha died in Starkville, MS; buried with Leslie.

Charles Hartness Jr, born 7/2/1925 in MS. (S) 1930 Census.

He never married; he had cerebral palsy.

7/1988 Charles died. He is buried in Oddfellow Cem., Starkville, MS.

Nancy Wilda Hartness, born 11/16/1929 in MS. (S) 1930 Census.

11/9/1932 she died of leukemia, buried in Sessums Meth. Cem., OktCo., MS.

iv. Martha Elizabeth “Bess” Loftis, born 2/25/1898 in LownCo., MS.

No.10:(S) 1900 Census.

No.10:(S) 1910 Census.

Fall/1911, Bessie attended Franklin Academy in Columbus.

1914, “Loftis Bessie Miss, bds 1409 N 4th av” (S) 1914 City Dir. of Columbus, P144.

1918, “Loftis Bessie Miss, student, h 1409 N 4th av”. (S) 1918 City Dir. of Columbus, P129.

Martha graduated from what is now MSCW.

No.10:(S) 1920 Census. Martha is a school teacher.

Martha moved to Bessemer, AL to teach.

Martha then taught, for the U.S. Steel Co., in Ogden, UT and then in Evelyth and Forest Lake, MN.

Bess met Charles in MN.

6/1927, Martha married Charles Scott Kelly, born 9/16/1899 in Wisconsin.

10/1927, Sisters Wilda in LownCo., Jennie Lou in OktCo., and Bessie Loftis Kelly 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.

Bess continued to teach while Charles finished Law school.

1929, Bess and Charles moved to Evanston, IL.

4/5/1930, (S) 1930 Census,  IL, Cook Co., Evanston. They live on Grove Rd. They rent their home for $130 a month. They own a radio. Bess gives her age as 29, Charles as 31. They have been married 4 years and have no children. Charles is an attorney in general practice.

1933, Bess’s nephew Sydney Bell visited them in Chicago. (S) 1965 Letter of Syd.

4/1/1935, Charles and Bess live at 210 Doves St., Evanston, IL. (S) 1940 Census.

4/6/1940, Charles, Bess, son Charles and daughter Anne live at 210 Doves St., Evanston, IL. They own their home valued at $30,000 [the street is near the Lake]. Charles Sr. and Bess both completed 4 years of college. Son Charles had completed 7^th grade, daughter Anne had not completed any schooling. They had 2 female servants living in the house, Crystalbell Collins, the cook; and Genevieve Campbell, both age 32. Charles is an attorney in private practice. (S) 1940 Census.

~1948, Bess and Charles bought a farm near Hudson, WI where they would spend their summers.

1954-56, Bess a longtime member and President of the Garden Club of Evanston. Charles was the counsel for the club.

1964-65, Bess, President of the Garden Club of Evanston

1973, they live at 210 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60620.

1979, Bess and Charles sold their farm.

5/1/1978, “Bess Loftis Kelly” lives at 210 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60201. (S) Notarized Application for birth certificate of her neice Wilda Bell Gore.

6/1987, Charles died, last residence Chicago. (S) SSDI.

9/30/1989, “Bess L. Kelly” died in Evanston, Cook Co., IL. (S) SSDI.

Children: [1 living son, 1 living daughter.]