William Nathaniel Bell, one of the founders of Seattle, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, on March 11, 1817. His early life was spent on a farm, coming west in 1851 as part of a wagon team destined for Oregon. He joined up with the Dennys to come to Seattle, where he established a donation claim just north of town. When his house was burned down by the Indians in 1856, he moved with his family to California and remained there until 1870.
After the death of his wife Sarah, he returned to Seattle and reestablished himself in several Seattle businesses. His donation claim, today known as Belltown, had become valuable in his absence. Virginia and Olive streets were named for his daughters. The Austin A. Bell building was named for his son, after his untimely death. Today it is a historic building of Seattle, used for retail and condominiums.
William had his wife Sarah re-interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
After the death of his wife Sarah, he returned to Seattle and reestablished himself in several Seattle businesses. His donation claim, today known as Belltown, had become valuable in his absence. Virginia and Olive streets were named for his daughters. The Austin A. Bell building was named for his son, after his untimely death. Today it is a historic building of Seattle, used for retail and condominiums.
William had his wife Sarah re-interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
William Nathaniel Bell, one of the founders of Seattle, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, on March 11, 1817. His early life was spent on a farm, coming west in 1851 as part of a wagon team destined for Oregon. He joined up with the Dennys to come to Seattle, where he established a donation claim just north of town. When his house was burned down by the Indians in 1856, he moved with his family to California and remained there until 1870.
After the death of his wife Sarah, he returned to Seattle and reestablished himself in several Seattle businesses. His donation claim, today known as Belltown, had become valuable in his absence. Virginia and Olive streets were named for his daughters. The Austin A. Bell building was named for his son, after his untimely death. Today it is a historic building of Seattle, used for retail and condominiums.
William had his wife Sarah re-interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
After the death of his wife Sarah, he returned to Seattle and reestablished himself in several Seattle businesses. His donation claim, today known as Belltown, had become valuable in his absence. Virginia and Olive streets were named for his daughters. The Austin A. Bell building was named for his son, after his untimely death. Today it is a historic building of Seattle, used for retail and condominiums.
William had his wife Sarah re-interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
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