Bell, Phoebe

Passed:

Age: 94

Source:

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1966-02-24

Information: Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon at the Chambers Funeral Home for Mrs. Phoebe Jane Pease Bell, 94, Ravenswood, who died Monday morning at the Gallipolis, Ohio Medical Center. Born in Meigs County, Ohio, daughter of the late William and Hannah Barnhart Pease, she was a member of the First Methodist Church in Ravenswood. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Herman A. Anderson, Ravenswood and Mrs. Della Kerns, Gallipolis, Ohio.There are four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren surviving. A daughter, Pearl Bostic of Portland, Ohio preceded her in death. The Rev. J. Ronald Casto officiated at the service and burial was in Ravenswood Cemetery. The only widow of a Civil War veteran in this area, Mrs. Bell was married July 29, 1890 at Racine, Ohio to John Bell who served with the Union forces. He died in April, 1914. A native of Portland, Ohio, Mrs. Bell and her husband resided in that community where Mr. Bell was a carpenter and skiff builder. Despite her age, Mrs. Bell was active, had black hair and carried on an interesting conversation although she was a little hard of hearing. According to Mrs. Bell, her husband did not tell the truth about his age when he enlisted in the Union Army. While his discharge papers show that he was 18 when he became a soldier, Mrs. Bell said he was only 16. The discharge read:  “Private of Capt. E. C. Carson of Co. F. 175th Regiment of Ohio Infantry, he (John Bell) volunteered  and enrolled Aug. 25, 1864 to serve one year or during the war. He was discharged June 28, 1865 at Charlotte, N. C., by reason of general order NO. 83, War Department, AGO.”