Jos. A. Bell

December 26, 1911
Macon Telegraph

Baxley, Dec. 25,—News has just reached here of the death of Hon. Jos. A. Bell in Atlanta, a resident of this place, who recently went to a hospital where for treatment. The news has cast a gloom over the entire town, notwithstanding the holiday festivities. His daughter was married to Ethel Doen, a prominent young merchant of Baxley, almost at the very hour of her father's death, as his dimise was unexpected, although it was known that he was fatally ill. Mr. Bell was a native of Appling county and acquired considerable wealth, having begun life with small means, he was the owner at the time of his death of many splendid farms In Appling county, and a large tract of river land on which is Bell's ferry, named after the owner, across the Altamaha.

He was a stockholder and director in the Citizens Banking Company, of this place, and owned considerable city property, he leaves eight children and was a brother of Hon, John Bell, of Waycross.