Guide to the Albert. H. Bell Papers 1882-1961
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Albert. H. Bell Papers
- Creator
- Bell, Albert H.
- Collection Number
- MSS 0634
- Extent
- 4 linear feet (4 boxes)
- Date
- 1882-1961
- Abstract
- Albert H. Bell practiced law in Westmoreland County, Pa., during the early twentieth century. The Albert H. Bell Papers consist of records of business and legal proceedings documenting his private legal practice in Greensburg Pa., in which he later partnered with his son John Clarke Bell forming Bell and Bell attorneys at law.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Albert H. Bell was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on November 20, 1857. He is one of three children born to John R. Bell and Margret Singer. The Bell family relocated to Greensburg, Pa., where Albert H. Bell attended public and private schools throughout Westmoreland County. He earned an advanced studies degree from Mount Union College, Ohio, and became a public school teacher for seven years. He served as deputy county clerk for Westmoreland County for three years under his father, the county clerk, from 1880 through 1883. After studying law, Bell was admitted to the bar in 1884, and operated a private practice in Greensburg for the remainder of his career. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, serving as their clerk and treasurer between 1905 and 1906, presided as president of the Westmoreland County Bar Association from 1921 through 1922, and was a member of the Westmoreland County board of education, as well as the board of trustees of Westminster College for eleven years. He also served as director of the Westmoreland Savings and Trust Company and the Westmoreland Building and Loan Association.
He married Mary C. Clarke in 1885, and had three children: James, Mary, and Albert, Jr. After passing the bar, James Clarke Bell practiced law with his father. Albert Bell Jr. also passed the bar, but enlisted in the army 1917. He died in the second battle of the Marne in France during World War I on July 23, 1918.
Scope and Content Notes
The Albert H. Bell Papers consist of business records documenting Bell's private legal practice in Greensburg Pa., in which he later partnered with his son, John Clarke Bell, forming Bell and Bell Attorneys at Law. The documents date from 1882 through 1960 and include folded legal briefs, inventory and appraisements, articles of agreement, transcripts from court dockets, release of mechanics liens, deeds, divorce notices, settlements, mortgage records, and warranty deeds. There are briefs from other local Greensburg attorneys as well, such as Harry E. Cope, George E. Barron, and McCurdy and Cunningham. Many of the records come from proceedings in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas; however there are United States Circuit court documents as well. There are receipts documenting the transfer of documents recognizing Bell as the legal guardian of Ruby and Edna Horner in 1904, a University of Pittsburgh law school announcement for 1909-1910 listing John Clarke Bell among the junior class, several small banking ledgers, and three pages from the Pittsburgh Sunfrom 1921.
Arrangement
The Albert H. Bell papers are arranged in four boxes:
- Box 1: Court dockets and legal documents which have no cover labels, as well as three Pittsburgh Sun pages.
- Box 2: Correspondence, financial receipts, legal protests, and small bank ledger books which belonged to Bell.
- Box 3 & 4: Legal documents and court cases which have cover labels.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Nellie Barnes in 1991.
Archives accession # 1991.0205
Preferred Citation
Albert. H. Bell Papers, 1882-1961, MSS 0634 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 11/18/11.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
H.H. Dinsmore Records, 1813-1961, MSS 0636. Ledger books from a fellow Greensburg, Pa., attorney and former president of the Westmoreland County Bar Association.
Subjects
- Greensburg (Pa.)
- Law Offices-Records and correspondence
- Westmoreland County (Pa.)
- Deeds-Pennsylvania-Westmoreland County