Bell Elijah Richard
OBITUARY
MR. ELIJAH RICHARD BELL.
Great Southern Herald – Katanning
Wednesday 22 November 1933
After a protracted illness, there passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs. Gill, Woodanilling, on Saturday last an old and well-known identity of the district, in the person of Mr. E. R. Bell J.P., aged 66 years.
Mr. Bell was born at Boyup Brook in 1867 and was one of the few older living settlers who could claim the distinction of having been born and bred in this portion of the State. During his life he had watched the town and district grow to importance, and in public and private life played an important part in the development of the district’s resources.
At an early age he became connected with the sandalwood industry, and subsequently was engaged contracting for building public roads. In 1892, in conjunction with his brother, Mr. R. S. Bell, he took up land for farming purposes and the two carried on in partnership until 1905. In that year the connection was discontinued, and subsequently deceased joined with Mr. Luke Bell. The two selected a 3,000-acre property, the various departments of which yielded good results under their joint management. At this time, they were the largest property owners in the Woodanilling district and built the first hotel in the township.
Mr. Bell took a very lively interest in all public matters and was for nine years a member of the Katanning Road Board. It was mainly owing to his efforts that the present road board of Woodanilling was formed, and he has since been a prominent member and was chairman of that body at the time of his death. He attended many conferences all over the State dealing with affairs connected with road boards and agricultural societies, and had represented his district on many occasions.
Being one of the few settlers native to the State, he was regarded as an authority on numerous details connected with the development of rural districts, having travelled extensively throughout his State and exercised keen observations during his journeying. He was a foundation director of Katanning Flour Mills Limited, his extensive knowledge of farming, and particularly the ramifications of the wheat pool, rendering him an extremely valuable member of the directorate.
He was created a Justice of the Peace by the Scaddan Government in 1912. Possessed, of a bright and cheerful disposition, Mr. Bell made many friends, and his loss will be keenly felt both in the Katanning and Woodanilling districts, where he was widely known and highly respected. He was unmarried and leaves two brothers, Robert and Luke, who are well-known settlers of the Woodanilling district, and sisters, Sarah Bell, Mary S. Pittelkow, Martha Saunders Gill and Elizabeth Compton.
The funeral took place on Sunday last in the rites of the Roman Catholic Church; deceased’s remains being conveyed to their last resting place in the Roman Catholic portion of the Katanning General Cemetery. The Rev. Father Gilroy, of Albany, officiated at the graveside.
Many beautiful wreaths, floral tributes and other expressions of esteem and sympathy were placed on the graveside by the following relatives and friends of deceased and sympathisers of the bereaved family:
May, Frank and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McIntyre; Irene and Roy; Mr. and Mrs M. E. Beeck and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Haddleton and family; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Piesse; Mr. and Mrs. H. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. A. Mouritz; Mr. and Mrs. C. Severin and family; Mr. E. Gilbert and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Coate and family; Members of Woodanilling Road Board; Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Nicholas; Mrs F. H. Piesse; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Treasure; Mr. and Mrs. Stonestreet; Triff and Rich, niece Alma and nephews Esmond, Frank, Lewis and Albert; Mr. and Mrs. Lane; Directors of Woodanilling Co-operative Company; Mr. and Mrs. D. Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. Alan Prosser and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Douglas, Lewis and Bell; Mrs. W. G. Patterson and family J. H. and G. Fidock; Mr. and Mrs. Kippin; B. and A. Brackie; Mr. and Mrs. Reay; G. T. Mader and family; Woodanilling Branch No. 1 Zone Council; Mr. and Mrs. Dinwoodie and family; Mr. and Mrs. Atkins; Hilda and Michael; Mrs. Bradbury and Bill; Mr. and Mrs. Clayton; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Gwynne and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dusting;
Chairman and Directors of Katanning Flour Mills Limited; Mr and Mrs. M. R. Kealley; Mrs. Ratcliff and family; No.1 Zone Council; Elsie, Charlie and Billy Kealley; Minnie and Robert and girls; Mrs. Garrity and family; brother Luke and sister-in-law Eliza; Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, Gladys and Cyril; Mary Hillman and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. G. White and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Becker; Arnold F. Piesse and Edmund S. R. Piesse; Mr. and Mrs. S. Kirk; Muriel and Kevin; loving sister Sarah; Woodanilling Cricket Club; Mr. and Mrs. A G. Hobbs; Staff and Employees of Katanning Flour Mills Limited; Rev. and Mrs. Wiley; Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Wilson and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Carter; Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Terlich and family; Dolly and Sid; Mr. and Mrs. R. Briant and family; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Prosser; Mr. and Mrs. Arch. Dawson and Murray; Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Becker and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Wise; Von and Bill.
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