Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-03-30

DEATH OF MRS. GEORGE F. BELLS.
ne End Came on Friday Evening and the Funeral
Were Held From the Bells House. Monday Afternoon

At6'5O O'Clock, Friday evening, March
10th, 1909, Mary Jane BELLS, wife of the
late George F. Bells, passed away in
ner apartments of the Bells House after
an extended illness. Mrs. Bells
neaith had been on the decline for a
number of years and several winters.
previous to the past one, she spent in
California, hoping the change from the
rigorous weather of this climate would
benefit her condition, and no doubt but
what it did prolong her life. She
was not able TO go away from home
the past winter. About a month ago
her condition grew worse and she was
confined to her bed most of the time
since and on the day of the heavy snow
storm, Tuesday, March 9th, she became
much worse and lapsed into uncon-
seriousness. recognizing only occasion
ally those of the household who hap
pened to be about her. This condition
has kept up most of the time since, her
physician holding out no hopes and all
felt that the end was not far away
Her naturally rugged constitution,
pulled her through many times where
weaker ones would have succumbed
1t was known throughout the city that
Mrs. Bells could not survive but a little
while and many old time friends from
every station in life, called 10 inquire
about her and to express their very
deep sorrow and sympathy Thirty
seven years of Mrs Bells life was spent
IN Wausau and from the day of her
arrival until the close of her life, she
was a power for good in the commune
lty She had no use for cant and hypoc-
rlsy, and relentlessly exposed such who
paraded in cloaks to hide their true
selves from mankind. She loved right
and justice and possessing a fine dis
elimination, she never erred in her
Judgment and was ever ready to express
her honest convictions when an oppor-
tunity presented itself. The extent of
her charitable work will never be
known; her most prominent character
istic was charitableness, ana whether
engulfed in details or otherwise, she
was ever figuring how to relieve those
in want or distress, and all without
ostentation. Not only was she a power
along the lines mentioned, but she was
tower of strength to her husband in
his great undertakings in this city. She
was endowed with that grade Of opti-
mism which never saw too great an
obstacle to overcome and which en-
abled her to ever distribute happiness
and words of cheer to those about her.
Wausau never had a citizen who was
more universally beloved than deceased,
and she held this enviable place in the
hearts of her numerous friends by
virtue of her sympathetic, kindly dis
position and nnselfish devotion to char
ity.
Mary Jane Bells was born in Central
Square, Oswego county, N. Y, .on the
18th day of June, 1889, and her age
would have been 20 years had she lived
until June. Her parents were Mr.. and
Mrs. John Young and she was next to
the oldest of family of nine children
She came to Wisconsin with her par
ents in1S56 and for a short time they
lived in Waupaca and then went to
Weyauwega to make their home.
She was united in marriage to George
f. Bells in Weyauwega on the 10th
day of Sept, 1858 Mr. Bells was born
in Dundee, Yates county, N. Y, on the
2lst day of April, 1929. His home was
in the state of his birth until he was
twenty-five years old when he came
west and located in Berlin, Wis, where
he followed the business of cooper for
a while and then conducted a restau-
rant. In 1860 he and his young wife
went to Plainville, Mimi, where they
for two years and then came
back to Wisconsin and for six years
lived in Berlin, then a time was spent
in Waupaca and from that place came