Thomas Woods Bell was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania in 1852. In 1872, he married Marguerite Brown at New Bedford, Pa. He came to Bemidji in 1899 and became a millwright. He had three daughters, Mary, Nannie, and and Florence, and one son Sulton, and a brother John W. Bell, also of Bemidji. They lived at 911 Minnesota Avenue.
Miss Nannie Bell and Mr. W. B. McLachlan were married by Rev. Thos. Broomfield, Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 9:00 p. m, at their present residence on Minnesota Avenue. Miss Bell is a young lady of striking personality who has made Bemidji her home for the past year and has been identified with the best society in the city. Wm. McLachlan is captain of the famous “Moose,” and has been in Bemidji for the past three years, during which time he has made a host of friends and acquaintances. After the ceremony the Bemidji band, of which Mac is a good member, serenaded the couple, and refreshments and cigars followed. (Sept 18, 1902)
Mary Elma Bell was married to Charles Plummer on Nov 9, 1910 at the home of Mrs. Doehner, 339 Shelby avenue, St. Paul. Miss Bell is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Bell of this city and has been assistant to Dr. Gilmore for several years. The groom is bookkeeper for one of the wholesale houses in Duluth, where the young pair will make their future home. They were later divorced.
In 1904, Thomas Bell was foreman of the Swedback mill. He continued as foreman until he began to suffer from bronchitis and heart trouble about 1913. He died at St. Anthony’s Hospital on Oct 20, 1915.
Mrs. Margaret Bell continued to live in Bemidji at the same address at 911 Minnesota Avenue for at least ten more years. She died in 1946. Florence died in 1947, and Mary Bell died in 1952.