Name:
Delano Herman Bell 
Location served:
Chatham  
Years in Practice:
Approximately 1911 to Prior to 1930
Area of Specialization:
Osteopath  

Biography:

Dr. Delano Herman Bell was born in Cass City, Michigan on the 23rd of May, 1874.  Dr. Bell was the eldest of 2 children born to Peter I. Bell and the former Louisa Caroline Delano.  His parents were farmers and his little brother Cara Jed Bell was born on the 6th of September, 1891.  His brother was killed in action during WWI on the 4th of October, 1918 at the age of 28.  He was buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Lorraine, France.  He was a Private in the 16th Infantry Regiment in the 1st Infantry Division.

Dr. Bell was married to Leotia J. Patterson on the 11th of April, 1899.  Mrs. Bell was born in 1873 in Kansas.  She was the youngest of 3 children born to Artemus Patterson and the former Ida Godfrey.  Her father was a saloon keeper and her siblings were; Nellie and Georgia. According to the 1880 census, the Patterson family resided on Central Avenue in Arkansas City in Kansas.  Mrs. Bell’s parents died young and she was raised by her grandmother and step-grandfather, William and Julia Gibby on North Fourth Street, Arkansas City, Kansas.  Dr. and Mrs. Bell were married at the Gibby residence and according to the 1900 census, Dr. and Mrs. Bell resided with Mr. and Mrs. Gibby.  The marriage was short-lived and ended in divorce.

The source of Dr. Bell’s medical training is unknown.  In 1911 Dr. Bell was living in Chatham and practicing with Dr. Charles Cameron Bell.  Dr. Delano H. Bell appears in the 1912 Vernon’s City of Chatham Business Directory.  He was residing at 83 King Street West and his medical practice was located at the same location.

Dr. Bell married Edna Harriett Reynolds in Chatham on the 2nd of September, 1911.  Mrs. Bell was born on the 26th of October, 1886 in Des Moines, Iowa the daughter of John Reynolds and the former Eva Myers.  Her father was a fireman.  Mrs. Bell had been married once before to Ernest Phillip Williams on the 5th of June 1907.  Mrs. Bell was a concert singer.  The marriage between Dr and Mrs. Bell ended in divorce and she was married for a third time prior to her death in 1943.  (Mr. Williams died in 1962).

Just prior to the death of his brother Cara, Dr. Bell enlisted in the United States Army on the 12th of September,1918.  At the time of his enlistment, he was residing in Little Rock, Arkansas.  On his registration card, he was described as medium height, medium build with blue eyes and brown hair.

Dr. Bell married Hattie (Sanders) Daniel on the 12th of December, 1919 in Faulkner County, Arkansas.  Mrs. Bell was born in Lonoke, Arkansas on the 14th of October, 1889.  She was the youngest of 11 children born to William Henry Sanders and the former Julia Annette Ellis. Her father kept a livery stable and her siblings were; John H. Sanders, Minnie L. Sanders, Edward Lee Sanders, Julia Sanders, William Richard Sanders, Thomas Clay Sanders, Maud E. Sanders, Blanche Sanders, George Ezekiel Sanders and Arthur Sanders.  Mrs. Bell was previously married to Joseph J. Daniel on the 2nd of January, 1910 in Lonoke, Arkansas.  They had a daughter, Julia Norfleet Daniel who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on the 16th of September, 1911.  Mr. Joseph Daniel died on the 30th of October, 1918.

According to the 1920 census, Dr. and Mrs. Bell and daughter Julia (Daniel) were living in Little Rock, Arkansas and Dr. Bell had his own medical practice.  By 1930, Dr. and Mrs. Bell were residing in Manhattan, New York.  His occupation at that time was listed as a salesman/office manager selling educational material.

In 1938, Dr. and Mrs. Bell were residing 1939 Tamarind Avenue in  Los Angeles, California.  Dr. Bell was now a broker, selling real estate.  His business was located at 2690 N. Beachwood Drive.

Dr. Bell died on the 27th of August, 1946 in Los Angeles, California.  At the time of his death, he resided at 1536 North Orange Grove Avenue.  Mrs. Bell died in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California on the 6th of August, 1976.  Dr. and Mrs. Bell were buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

*Dr. Charles Cameron Bell also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**Dr. Bell’s brother-in-law Dr. Thomas Clay Sanders practiced medicine in Arkansas and in Oklahoma.  He served with the United States Military during WWI. 

***Dr. Bell’s brother-in-law George Ezekiel Sanders served with the United States Military during WWI and WWII.