from The Harrodsburg Sayings, Mercer County, Kentucky

Thursday, February 7 1901

Colonel Thomas Clelland Bell, one of Mercer County’s best known and most highly respected citizens, died at his home on Lexington Avenue in this city, Friday, as the clock was striking the hour of six p.m.

For many hears he had been a sufferer from diabetes, and about ten days before his death he contracted pneumonia, which hastened his demise.

Colonel Bell was a son of John B. and Phoebe Durr Bell, and was born in Mercer County, near the Anderson line, on the 29th of August, 1838.  He received his education in the county schools of the day, and afterwards taught for several years in both Mercer and Anderson counties.  Later he studied law and years ago was admitted to the Mercer bar, and since that time practiced with remarkable success.  During President Cleveland’s first administration he was Assistant District Attorney and while holding that office resided in Louisville.

On the 15th of September, 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah Connor, of Salvisa, who survives with their five children:  Paul E. Bell, teller in the Mercer National Bank of this city; Mrs. Annie B. Goddad, widow of Nick Goddard; W. C. Bell, member of the Mercer bar; Attorney R. B. Bell, of Louisville, and Miss Nancy Wilson Bell, of this place.

Colonel Bell was a prominent and active member of the Baptist Church, and his funeral was preached at the church here Sunday, beginning at 11 o’clock a.m. by the pastor, Rev. J. F. Williams, assisted by Dr. W. P. Harvey of Louisville.

Montgomery Lodge, I. O. O. F., had charge of the burial which took place in Spring Hill Cemetery, and a large cortege followed the remains to the grave.