Collection is open for research.
1893 letter from Asahel Bush purchased from Fred Lockley, March 1947 (RL2022-097). Receipt of payment to Asahel Bush acquired in 1900 (RL2022-102-RETRO). Other materials most likely acquired in the early 20th century (RL2022-098).
John Colgate Bell was born in 1814 in Kentucky, and moved to Missouri in 1834. He served in the Mexican-American War, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1850, he emigrated to Oregon. He then went to California to mine gold before going to The Dalles, Oregon. In 1853, he returned to Missouri, and the following year came back to Oregon with his family. He then opened a general merchandise store in Salem, Oregon. In 1886, Bell was appointed postmaster of Astoria, Oregon, by U.S. President Grover Cleveland. In 1890, he moved to Portland, Oregon.
Bell married Sarah E. Ward in 1845; the couple had 10 children. Bell died in 1906.
Source: Obituary in the Oregonian, October 24, 1906.
John C. Bell papers, Mss 194, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Collection was titled "John Colgate Bell papers" prior to 2022.
The collection consists of a letter, certificates, ephemera, and biographical information relating to John C. Bell. The letter, dated March 7, 1893, is from Asahel Bush, and in it Bush declines to write a recommendation letter for Bell regarding an unnamed government appointment, likely as postmaster. The certificates are: Bell's appointment as a division inspector for the Missouri state militia, 1845; an indenture from William Wallace and Ruthinda Wallace for property in in Salem, Oregon, 1868; and Bell's appointment as postmaster of Astoria, Oregon, with U.S. President Grover Cleveland's signature, 1886. Other items include a receipt for Bell's contribution to the State Democratic Central Committee, 1888; and a receipt of Peter Butler's payment to Asahel Bush for a subscription to the Oregon Statesman, 1855, though it is unclear how this receipt relates to Bell. The collection also includes several pages of biographical information written by George Himes circa 1900.
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.