William Hastings Bell

Male 1856 - 1919  (63 years)


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  • Name William Hastings Bell 
    Born 4 Sep 1856  Geelong, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Interests
    • 1895-1919... Secretary of the Stawell Athletic Club.
      -Secretary of the Victorian Athletic League.
      -Secretary and Yeoman of the Stawell Hospital.
      -Secretary of the Cemetery Trust.
      -Secretary of the Traders Association.
      -Registrar of the Stawell School of Mines.
    Occupation 1893  Stawell Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Commision and Estate Agent.
    Residence
    • Horsham.
      1893 moved to Stawell.
    Died 8 Oct 1919  Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Saturday 11 October 1919 page 2:

      DEATH - BELL
      At Stawell (suddenly) on 8th October, William Hastings, dearly beloved husband of Mary Bell. Aged 63 years. Interred Stawell 10/10/19.

      Saturday 11 October 1919 page 2 column 6:

      ‘Referring to the lamented death of Mr. W. H. Bell, the Ararat “Advertiser” says: “The sad occurrence awakens the memory of the recent passing away of Mr. T. J. Gossip, of Ararat, there being a remarkable coincidence in the career and life work and end of the two men. Both held prominent positions in the life of their respective towns. They were secretaries of most of the local organisations. Brigadier-General Brand attended at Ararat to take part in a public gathering to do honour to the returned soldiers, and there was the tragic ending in his presence on both occasions, and the rough waves of life were for ever still.”

      Saturday 11 October 1919 page 2 column 7:
      Mr WM HASTINGS BELL
      A SUDDEN ENDING

      Death has been busy amongst us again, and with almost tragic suddenness removed from our midst one of the best known and respected residents in the person of Mr. Wm., Hastings Bell. The circumstances connected with his demise are most pathetic. Mr. Bell left home with his little grandson to attend the ceremony of the presentation of certificates to the returned soldiers on Wednesday afternoon, and as heavy rain commenced to fall he hastened to get into the Drill Hall. The extra exertion affected his heart, which was somewhat weak and caused him slight trouble at times, and he complained of feeling unwell, and went to his brother-in-law’s (Cr. G. Holden, president of the Stawell Shire) motor and sat down. His condition became worse and he was promptly driven to Dr. Stanley’s surgery. He walked in, and as the doctor came in to attend to him, he suddenly collapsed and expired. A sad feature connected with the demise was that it occurred simultaneously with his son (Private G. D. Bell) receiving his certificate from Brigadier-General Brand. Naturally the unfortunate occurrence caused keen regret throughout the town, where Mr. Bell had laboured so zealously for various institutions, and quite a gloom was cast over the proceedings at the Drill Hall when the news was circulated. Prior to the seizure deceased appeared to be in normal health, and had been transacting his various duties during the day. The late Mr. Bell was born at Geelong, and was 63 years of age, being a son of the late Mr. James Bell, merchant. He went to Horsham to reside when his father took up residence there, and took a great interest in many institutions there, particularly the fire brigade and sporting matters. He was also secretary of the Athletic Club in that town. Some 26 years ago he came to Stawell to reside, and commenced business as a Commission and Estate Agent, and subsequently became secretary to most of the important institutions of the town. Some 24 years ago when the late J. B. Burton resigned from the position of secretary of the Stawell Athletic Club, deceased was appointed to the position which he carried on until his demise. He saw the Club grow to the most important in the Commonwealth, and his name was a house-word in the pedestrian world. He also occupied the position of Secretary to the Stawell Hospital, and did yeoman service for that institution. The same may be said of his secretaryship to the Cemetery Trust, the Traders’ Association, and his latest appointment, the Mechanics Institute gala day. For some years he was also registrar to the Stawell School of Mines, and in the very early days of the Victorian Athletic League occupied the position of secretary. Years ago he did a good deal of handicapping work for pedestrian meetings, and was an old member of the A.N.A. Deceased was essentially a man of action and in every organisation in which he held office he strove with all the ability at his command to achieve the best results, and he undoubtedly did useful public service, for which the whole community has reason to be thankful. His place will be hard to fill owing to the capable manner in which he carried out his work and the care he gave to all the details of his various positions. Many friends are left to mourn the loss of a sincere friend, and one and all will extend their sincere sympathy to the sorrowing widow and family of two sons ? Mr. W. S. H. Bell, West Australia, and Mr. G. D. Bell, Stawell ? and two daughters ? Mrs. F. Allsop, Pomonal, and Mrs. C. Green (Stawell).
      The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, and was a very lengthy one, representative of all sections of the community, whilst several Ararat people were present to represent different organisations at Ararat. A goodly number of returned soldiers preceded the hearse to the cemetery. The remains were encased in a polished oak casket with silver mountings, and a number of beautiful floral tributes were received, including those from the Athletic Club, gala day committee, also one from the Ararat Athletic Club, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. S. Bell, W.A., Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Holden, “Overdale”, Mr., Mrs. & Miss Taylor, and Mr. and Mrs. R. Greenwell. The coffin bearers were Messrs. H. Henderson, C. Brown, A. Shaw, C. Hunt, J. Phillips and D. Constable, and the pall bearers Messrs. G. Mitchell, G. Barnes, L. C. Phillips, J. Dalziel, G. Fowler and A. Punchard. Rev. H. C. Matthew, M.A., read the burial service and Mr. F. Crouch conducted the funeral arrangements.

      [1]
    Buried 10 Oct 1919  Stawell Cemetery, Victoria Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1940  Hickey, List, Bundesen, Thomsen, Jensen, Jessen
    Last Modified 7 Sep 2010 

    Father James Bell,   b. 22 Jun 1826, Longtown, Cumberland, England. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Aug 1908, Victoria, Australia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years) 
    Mother Annie Broadfoot Chalmers,   b. 1819, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1891, Horsham, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years) 
    Married Jan 1854  Liverpool England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F579  Group Sheet

    Family Mary Jane Holden,   b. 1858, Yowangs, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1946, "Drumconda", Allen Crescent, Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Married 26 Aug 1885  "Overdale", Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Marriage Thursday 3 September, 1885 
    Pleasant Creek News & Stawell Chronicle  
    • MARRIED On the 26th August, at the residence of the bride’s parents, “Overdale”, by the Rev. R. Brown, of Stawell, William Bell, eldest son of James Bell of Horsham, to Mary Jane, eldest daughter of James Holden, “Overdale”.
    Children 
    +1. Ethel Constance Bell,   b. 1886, Horsham, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1962, Fitzroy, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
    +2. Walter Seth Hague Bell,   b. 1887, Horsham, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Apr 1947, Warracknabeal District hospital Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 60 years)
    +3. Gladys Ruby Ellen Bell,   b. 1890, Horsham, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1956, "Midlothian", Scotland Place, Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years)
    +4. George Douglas McIvor Bell,   b. 1896, Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Oct 1936, "St Day's" Pomonal, Stawell, Victoria. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 40 years)
    Last Modified 16 Dec 2006 
    Family ID F578  Group Sheet

  • Sources 
    1. [S80] “transcribed by Elaine Brown from newspaper microfilms in the State Library of Victoria collection, contact Elaine on bmcw2@bigpond.com”.


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