Bell, Alexander D. “Alex”
Harriet E. ( ) Bell
Niece: Mrs. Evelyn Nowell
Alexander D. Bell was born around 1861 in Scotland. He married Harriet ( ). He died on February 7, 1927 in Princeton, BC.
He came to Princeton, with Dr. Whillans, around 1900. He went into the mercantile business on Bridge Street with J.A. Rennie. The first advertisement for their new general store appeared in the Similkameen Star on April 7, 1900. They remained together for a couple of years, then Bell continued by himself. In 1903, he built an annex to his cottage on Vermilion Avenue.
He was also the customs officer, an agent for the government telephone service, and the liquor license commissioner. He was the postmaster from March 1, 1905 to July 2, 1925. According to the Hedley Gazette (March 2, 1905), Alexander Bell was appointed by the Liberal party to the position of postmaster in recognition of his services at the time of the election.
He was installed into Vermilion Rebekah Lodge #24 on January 8, 1912. He was also a member of the Princeton Board of Trade and the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).
He attended special board meetings of the school board on July 10, 1916 and December 21, 1915.
Hedley Gazette, March 2, 1905, page 1; Princeton Our Valley, page 17; Princeton BC (1979) – Laurie Currie, page 18; Death registration (BC Archives); Similkameen Star, April 7, 1900, page 6; October 3, 1903, page 1; Princeton Star, February 12, 1925, page 1 (obituary)