James Bell

Background

Bell was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky and later moved to Missouri.

Career

James Bell arrived in San Francisco, California in 1875, then traveled down the coast to Los Los Angeles In 1875, Bell and his extended family purchased about 360 acres (15 km2) of the California property, near modern Los Los Angeles The area was originally part of the Spanish land grant Rancho San Antonio.

Between 1870 and 1890, the grant was broken into smaller land holdings and acquired by newly arriving settlers.

Bell engaged in cattle raising and dry farming, developed water wells, and rented land to vegetable farmers. The Bell family initially lived at the Hollenbeck"s "Town House" on 4th and Breed Street until moving to a "ranch" in 1876.

The family"s "Bell House" was built in an early Victorian architectural style. Bell helped the area develop into a small farming and cattle raising community.

He served as Bell"s first postmaster and rose through the ritual ranks of the Masonic Lodge.

Bell, California and Bell Gardens, California are named for him.

Achievements

• Originally known as Obed, the California town"s name was changed in 1898 to Bell to honor the pioneer founder. James George Bell"s son, Alphonzo Bell, Senior, was an oil millionaire, real estate developer and champion tennis player.

Connections

Friend:

Susan Abia Hollenbeck