Herbert Hugh Bell (1906-1995)

G6 Herbert Hugh Bell, born September 10, 1906, died November 14, 1995. Married June 7, 1939 Marguerite Hoagland, died December 18, 1984. Two children. Herbert Bell was the third generation to work the family farm in Greenfield. He owned the first Forage Harvester in the area and could fill about fifty silos each season.

Source: William Steven Bell Family Bible - Births Addendum 1

A Autobiographical Account of the Life of Herbert Hugh and Marguerite Bell

Before I write a bit of history of my life I wish to express my appreciation to all those who have given me guidance and companionship as I complete the lessons on square dancing. Chairmen of our sponsors were Russell and Bobbie Gibson, ably assisted by Phil and Joan Conti, and Ed and Terrie Owens. Len Daughtery has been a patient and caring teacher whose instruction has always been helpful. I especially thank Margaret Armstrong who volunteered to be my dance partner and without her I could never have made it through. I have enjoyed the lessons and the good times spent with everyone in the group - we were like one happy family.

A review of one's life generally begins with the place of birth. I grew up on a 155 acre farm north of New Wilmington, the sixth in a family of seven. After graduating from high school I worked with my father. Following his death two years later I was bestowed the honor of taking over the operation of the farm, and after my mother's death eight years later became the owner.

In June 1939 I married Marguerite Hoagland who had been a school teacher for eleven years. After our two children, Ann and John, were of school age, Marguerite returned to teaching, retiring after twenty five years of service. My wife and I were both active members of Unity Presbyterian Church. I was treasurer for thirty five years, have served forty years as an elder and one year as a deacon.

On the farm I built up a dairy herd of fifty cattle. In addition I operated a threshing machine doing custom work throughout the community. Eventually combining equipment became more popular than threshing. Then I invested in the first Forage Harvester in our area, filling about fifty silos each season. In 1969 I sold the farm and retired in New Wilmington.

The following year my wife and I joined with eight other family members for a planned trip around the world. We flew to Hawaii visiting all of its five islands. Out next stop was in Tokyo where our son John and his wife Carol were living. John was a navy pilot, flying mail and cargo during the Vietnam War onto a carrier stationed off the coast of that country. Taking some time off from his military duties, John rented an air force van and took us on a tour of Japan. One of our thrills also was to ride the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka where a world's fair was being held. Our daughter Ann spent three years as a mission teacher in an international school in Tehran in the country of Iran, then governed by the Shah. During our visit she rented a school bus which enabled us to travel through some of the countryside as well as to visit two other cities. our world tour included altogether nine countries in Asia and in Europe.

Four years later my wife and I enjoyed a Princess tour to Alaska. Besides the island cruise by ship we also traveled by plane, bus and train, enjoying the mountains, the glaciers and the cities. After our marriage we had driven across the United State to California, and at another time we had gone by train to Seattle to attend a national church event.

My wife passed away December 1984. We had enjoyed a happy and wonderful life together. Soon after her death I was invited to join the Wellness Center, operated by the Area Agency on Aging. I became regular in attendance five days a week from ten to twelve having a good nutritious noon meal, and on two mornings we gathered for breakfast. About two years ago our director, Luanne Neff, changed the Monday daytime schedule to evening which has resulted in as many as 100 or more people from the area taking advantage of a good meal and interesting programs. We enjoy a variety of activities at the Center such as card games, scrabble, bocci, round dancing and square dancing. That explains how I became inspired to take Western square dance lessons. At the center I try to be helpful when equipment needs repaired, moved or even constructed. By joining the Center and participating in its activities I have experienced quite a boost to my life style.

Herbert Bell
New Wilmington, PA

Herbert Hugh Bell, 2072 Mercer-New Wilmington Road, Wilmington Township, died at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday (11-14-95) in the hospital of Jameson Health System, New Castle. He was 89.

Mr. Bell was born Sept. 10, 1906 in Lackawannock Township to James Hugh and Ella Junkin Bell. He was a graduate on New Wilmington High School.

A retired farmer, he was the third generation on the family farm pioneered by his grandfather William S. Bell in 1854.

Mr. Bell was a member of Senior Center, New Wilmington, and participated in Senior Olympics statewide, winning several gold and silver medals.

He was a member of Unity Presbyterian Church, Lackawannock Township, where he served as treasurer for 35 years and was a deacon for one year and an elder for 40 years.

He was a member of American Association of Retired Persons.

His wife Marguerite L. Hoagland, whom he married June 7, 1939, died December 18, 1984.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Ozhang (Ann) Karimi, Lancaster, Pa.; a son, John Hugh Bell, Denver; a sister, Mrs. W. Boyd (Alice) Barrett, New Wilmington; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Rebecca Reno and Mary Osborne White, and three brothers, Arthur J. Bell, J. Ellis Bell and W. Wendell Bell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, 1857 Mercer-New Wilmington Road, Mercer 16137, or Shenango Presbyterian Home, South Market Street, New Wilmington 16142.

Children of Herbert Hugh Bell and Marguerite Hoagland:

H1 Barbara Ann Bell, born 05/17/1942. Attended West Middlesex High School, graduated in 1960; attended Slippery Rock University, graduated with a BS Degree, 1964; Slippery Rock University MA Degree in Phys Ed 1967; Missionary Training Center, Stoney Point, NY, 1967; Studied Hindi - Modern Language Institute, DC, 1968; Studied Persian - private teachers, Iran, 1968-1971; Water Safety Instructor Certified, Ashville, NC, 1972; Restorative Patient Care - Raleigh, NC, 1976; Associate Degree - Electronic Data Processing, 1983; H&R Block Income Tax Training, 1992-1993; Currently enrolled in Accounting - Millersville University.

Barbara married Ozhang Hossien Karimi in June 24, 1972. Ozhang was employed as a banker in Tehran, Iran until 1970. After leaving Iran, Ozhang moved to Warren Wilson College, NC in 1970, working and studying. Upon graduation in 1975, Ozhang began a career with ServiceMaster, assigned to a hospital affiliated with Duke University. Became supervisor in North Carolina with Kinston as a base in 1980. Promoted to area manager with the office in Fredericksburg, VA in 1984. Transfer to Lancaster, PA as division manager in 1988.

Great memories include the ten relatives who came to visit Iran, and their trip around the world. It was there they met Ozhang. Experiences in visiting, not only Tehran, but the cities of Isfahan and Shiraz and the land travel enroute to them are indescribable.
Two children:

I1 Tanya Anahita Karimi, born 05/31/1978. Tanya had her first visit out of the United States when she spent three weeks in Germany in the summer of 1993. Since she is very athletic-she has been on the school varsity soccer team, qualifying for a work camp experience in North Carolina the summer of 1994.

I2 Derrick Hushang Karimi, born 08/07/1980. Derrick likes wrestling and spends hours with his favorite "toy", the computer. In addition he enjoys a church related camp and has joined in several work camp projects.

H2 John Hugh Bell, born 05/31/1944. Married Carol J. Lutz on 07/19/1969. John attended West Middlesex High School, and graduated in 1962. He then attended Slippery Rock University, earning a B.S. Degree in 1966. He also attended: Aviation Officer's Candidate School, Pensacola; Naval Air Basic Flight Training, Corpus Christi; and Commercial Aviation Training in Denver and Pittsburgh. John is currently a Commercial Pilot for USAir-Pittsburgh.

Carol is a graduate of Slippery Rock University. She has taught in the Pittsburgh area, in Japan and in Colorado. She is currently employed as Sales Administrator with Cottrells, Inc. which is a medical supplies company in Parker, Colorado. Carol has been a school tutor, room mother and has been actively involved in school athletic fund raisers. She developed and organized the Homeowners' Annual Halloween Parade for 75 children and directed it for a period of 14 years.
Two children:

I1 Britney Lorraine Bell, born 09/30/1976. Britney through Girl Scouts participated in a work project in Mexico in 1992 refurbishing a preschool for underprivileged children, and has planted trees at a local park. She has also been volunteer in the church nursery.

I2 Kristen Leigh Bell, born 12/31/1978. Kristen has also been active in Girl Scouts and has participated in community contests, winning in 1993 the community art award.