My Genealogy Hound

Ben L. Bell, one of the most extensive planters of Ashley County, was originally from Alabama, born June 23, 1844, and is a son of W. L. Bell, of North Carolina, a pioneer planter of that State. The mother of our subject died when he was an infant, and his father afterward married Mrs. Nannie Kirkpatrick Gaston, of Mississippi. The father moved to Ashley County. Ark., in 1851, entered about 1,200 acres in Mill Creek Township, and there raised cotton and corn. He owned about thirty or forty negroes, and resided here at the breaking out of the war. He had 600 acres under cultivation, producing from one-half to three-fourths of a bale of cotton to the acre, and from eighteen to twenty-five bushels of corn. Ben L. Bell was reared in Ashley County, Ark., having lived here since six years of age, and received a good business education in the private schools of this State In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Bell’s regiment infantry, but was afterward transferred to the cavalry. His first fighting was with the Third Arkansas, in Virginia, and while there he participated in the seven days’ fight around Richmond, also Malvern Hill. He then obtained a furlough, and was home for some time. Later he joined Bell’s regiment, Fagan’s brigade, and operated in the Trans-Mississippi Department. While in that position he took part in the fight at Helena and Mark’s Mill, and from that time on he acted as a scout, being on detached service until disbanded, at Magnolia, Ark. Reaching home June 1,1865, he immediately resumed work on the farm. He found his buildings safe and sound, and he looked forward to a time of prosperity and happiness. At that time cotton was selling at from 30 to 60 cents per pound, corn was worth from $1 to $2 per bushel, and provisions also were high, pork selling at $40 per barrel. From that time on Mr. Bell has owned land in Ashley County. In 1881 he engaged in the grocery business, continued this two years, and then abandoned it to resume farming. In 1873 he drove 120 head of cattle to Jewell County, Kas., and traded for horses and money. After his return he opened a livery stable at Hamburg, and did own the same stable now run by Scott, of Hamburg, about two years. He then operated a warehouse for cotton, on the Ouachita River, running this for three seasons, and handling about 600 bales the first year, 1,200 the second and about 3,000 the third year. After abandoning mercantile life, Mr. Bell went to his farm, and has remained there ever since. He is now the owner of 800 acres of land, and has about 150 acres under cultivation. He has three tenants living on his place, and works about five or six hands outside of these. He makes about fifty bales of cotton annually, and raises from 500 to 600 bushels of corn. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and socially, he is a member of the K. of H. and K. of P., at Hamburg, also the A. F. & A. M.