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W. J. BELL is one of the leading general merchants of Okolona, Ark., and
was born near Corinth, Miss., in 1844. His parents, Dr. J. L. and Ruth
A. ( Young) Bell, were married in that state, and in 1858 came to Clark
County, Ark., where Dr. Bell still lives, at the age of sixty-eight
years, his time being occupied in following his profession and tilling
the soil. He now lives with his second wife, as his first wife died in
1853. W. J. Bell the eldest child, was brought up on a farm, and in his
early boyhood was given a common-school education. He came with his
father to Clark County, Ark., and from this state enlisted in the
Confederate army in 1861, being first a member of Company B, Twelfth
Arkansas Infantry, and for twelve months he operated on the Mississippi
River, participating in the engagements at Belmont, New Madrid and
Island No. 10. After being honorably discharged, he returned to his
home, but could not remain contented there, and soon joined Company H,
Thirty-third Arkansas Infantry, and was
in numerous engagements in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, among which
may be mentioned Prairie Grove, Little Rock, and Mansfield. He
surrendered with his command at Marshall, Tex., returned home, and again
began farming. In March 1868, he wedded Alice, daughter of W. H. and
Martha E. Shackleford, who came from Okolona, Miss., to Clark County,
Ark., in 1856, the father following farming until his death in 1873 or
1874. His wife survives him. Mrs. Bell was born in Mississippi, and
has borne her husband seven children, two sons, and two daughters are
now living. Mr. Bell continued to farm until 1886, then came to Okolona
and opened a general merchandise store, under the firm name of
Shacklefore & Bell, but since 1889 Mr. Bell has been in business alone,
and is doing well, his annual sales amounting to abut $40,000. He owns
some excellent farming land, consisting of 420 acres, and a good home in
the town, all of which he has accumulated by his own endeavors. He and
his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat politically, and is an active
worker for the schools,churches, etc. He is a member of the A. F. & A.
M., Robert Morris Lodge No. 106, at Okolona, and Barbara Chapter No. 20,
at Gurdon, and also the K.& H., at Okolona.
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