| John Bell | |
|---|---|
| 18th 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]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Benjamin Pierce |
Governor of New Hampshire 1828–1829 |
Succeeded by Benjamin Pierce |
|
|||||||