John Bell (New Hampshire politician)
| John Bell | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 12th Governor of New Hampshire | |
| In office June 5, 1828 – June 4, 1829 |
|
| Preceded by | Benjamin Pierce |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 20, 1765 Londonderry, New Hampshire |
| Died | March 22, 1836 (aged 70) |
| Political party | National Republican Party |
| Spouse(s) | Persis Thom |
| Relations | Samuel Bell (brother) |
| Children | Ten, including Charles Henry Bell |
| Religion | Presbyterianism[1] |
John Bell (July 20, 1765 – March 22, 1836) was governor of the U.S. state of New Hampshire for one year (1828 to 1829). Samuel Bell, a brother, was the Governor of New Hampshire from 1819 to 1823,[2] and a son, Charles Henry Bell, served as Governor from 1881 to 1883.[3]
John Bell was born on July 20, 1765, in Londonderry, New Hampshire, the son of John and Mary Ann (née Gilmore) Bell.[1][4]
He received a limited education by several New Hampshire common schools, and according to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Records, he entered state politics when he became a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1799 for Londonderry.[3] However, the Political Graveyard states that Bell was in the New Hampshire Senate from 1786 to 1790 representing Rockingham County.[5] After he left his position as a representative for Londonderry in 1800, he moved to Chester, and married Persis Thom on December 25, 1803.[3] Together, they would have ten children; the youngest, Charles Henry Bell, served as Governor from 1881 to 1883.[3] In 1803, Bell became a member of the state senate for the 3rd District until 1804.[5] He was also a councilor from 1817 to 1823, and the sheriff for Rockingham County from 1823 to 1828.[1]
In 1828 Bell, as a National Republican and a supporter of President John Quincy Adams (who lost to Andrew Jackson in that year's presidential election),[6] defeated Benjamin Pierce 21,149 to 18,672 votes in an election for the governorship.[3]
While he was Governor, the Exeter Savings Bank was chartered; several state manufacturing companies were incorporated; a number of schools were founded; manufacturing within the state increased; and new farming methods were endorsed.[1] Bell promoted state support for formal agricultural education, and experimentation in farming and agriculture.[3]
In 1829, Bell was defeated for re-election by Pierce.[3] Bell then retired from public service, and pursued actively his farming interests.[3] He died on March 22, 1836, and was buried in the Village Cemetery in Chester.[3]
Footnotes [edit]
- ^ a b c d New Hampshire Governor John Bell.
- ^ New Hampshire Governor Samuel Bell.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Publications - A Guide to Likenesses of New Hampshire Officials and Governors on Public Display at the Legislative Office Building and the State House Concord, New Hampshire, to 1998.
- ^ Proceedings of the New Hampshire Historical Society, 1895, page 210
- ^ a b Index to Politicians: Bell.
- ^ John Norris McClintock (1888), Colony, Province, State, 1623-1888: History of New Hampshire, published by B. B. Russell, page 553
Sources [edit]
- Bastedo, Russell (1998). "Publications - A Guide to Likenesses of New Hampshire Officials and Governors on Public Display at the Legislative Office Building and the State House Concord, New Hampshire, to 1998". New Hampshire Division of Historical Records.
- "Index to Politicians: Bell". The Political Graveyard.
- "New Hampshire Governor John Bell". National Governors Association.
- "New Hampshire Governor Samuel Bell". National Governors Association.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Benjamin Pierce |
Governor of New Hampshire 1828–1829 |
Succeeded by Benjamin Pierce |
