Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams Co, IN; Monday, May 21, 1917
V.D. Bell Dead - Former Adams County Farmer Passes Away at Craigville Sunday - Was Aged Eighty - Father of Several Decatur People - Funeral Will be Tuesday.
Vincent D. Bell, Sr. for many years a farmer of Adams county, died Sunday morning at 11:10 at his home at Craigville. Death followed a decline of the past year, when his infirmities of age, complicated with illness of a tubercular nature, weighed heavily upon him. He was eighty years of age last December 19.
Mr. Bell was born in Sidney, Ohio, and there was married to Sarah Alexander. In 1861, they came to Adams county, settling on a farm southwest of Decatur. They acquired a comfortable fortune and retiring from active life, moved to Craigville about ten years ago, where their days have been spent since.
Eleven children were born to them. One died in infancy. The wife and ten children, living are: Charles, William, Hilliard of Craigville; Mrs. Al Zerkel, Mrs. George Everett, Mrs. Herb Steele, Mrs. O.P. Mills, Vincent Bell, Jr., of this city; Godfrey, of North Yakima, Wash; Mrs. Jesse Parrish, Bluffton. Two sisters are living. They are Mrs. Hannah Anderson, West Unity, Iowa; Mrs. Belinda Barratt, Columbus, O.
The funeral will be Tuesday morning at eleven o'clock from the Christian Union church, Craigville, and burial at Elm Grove, Bluffton.

Bluffton Evening News, Wells County, Indiana; Monday, May 21, 1917
VINCENT D. BELL DIED SUNDAY MORNING
Pioneer Citizen of Wells and Adams Counties Died at Craigville
Vincent D. Bell, who for more than fifty years has been numbered among the well known citizens of Wells and Adams Counties, died Sunday morning at his home at Craigville. Mr. Bell's death was the result of tuberculosis which was complicated and rendered more virulent by the infirmities of his advanced age. His illness for several weeks has been a series of relapses and gradual recoveries, each relapse leaving him a little weaker, however, and all hope for his recovery was abandoned several weeks ago. He was reported a little stronger Saturday but began to grow weaker Saturday evening and passed away Sunday morning.
The decedent was born in Shelby County, Ohio, near the town of Sidney, the son of Thomas and Minerva (Helmar) Bell on December 19, 1836, and was christened Vincent Davis Bell. Mr. Bell moved to Adams County with his parents in 1850, and settled on a farm in French township. In 1854 his father died and his mother apprenticed him to a cabinet maker in Decatur, with whom he stayed for two years. Mr. Bell himself once stated that his hope at that time was to be a farmer but that is mother overruled his wish, feeling that he was not strong enough for that work. It was not until several years later that he was able to gratify his wish and subsequent events proved that he was abundantly fitted for the work which he chose for himself.
In 1856 Mr. Bell and the others of the family moved back to Ohio where, on October 17, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Alexander. Their marriage was performed at Xenia, in Greene County, Ohio, by Rev. Albert Guy, a Baptist minister.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell came to Indiana in 1863 and settled in French township, Adams county. Their first home was a cabin of hewn logs. Mr. Bell immediately applied himself to farming and his efforts met with splendid success. He purchased land wisely and the increasing land values brought him to a condition of financial independence. In 1907 he disposed of his farm property in Adams County and moved to Craigville, where he and his wife have resided ever since. One 160-acre farm which Mr. Bell had purchased in the early 60's for $1,00 was sold to John Hyerly for $16,000 when he disposed of his holdings preparatory to retirement.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell had a family of eleven children and ten of these survive with their mother. The children are: Joseph C. Bell, Craigville, Ind.; William J. J. Bell, Craigville; Mrs. Oceano J. Zerkel, Decatur; Mrs. Mary L. Parrish, Bluffton; Mrs. Sarah B. Steele, Decatur; Mrs. Grace M. Everett, Decatur; Vincent D. Bell, Jr., Decatur; O. Godfrey Bell, North Yakima, Wash.; Mrs. Viola M. Mills, Decatur, and Hilliard H. Bell, Craigville. One daughter, Maggie M. Bell, preceded her father in death.
Mr. Bell leaves two sisters, Mrs. Hannah Anderson of West Union, Iowa, and Mrs. Belinda Barrett, of Columbus, Ohio. Six brothers and sisters died in infancy and three more preceded him in death after attaining mature years. These three were Mrs. Ella Jones, of Columbus, O., Mrs. Lucinda Hocker, of Decatur, and Mrs. Sarah Spicer, of Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Bell was a member of the Christian Union Church and of the Masonic fraternity.
The funeral will be held at Craigville on Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock with Rev. C. T. Payne officiating. The interment will be in the Elm Grove cemetery, Bluffton.
Contributor: Karin King (47469179)