Legislator Details


Digby V. Bell
AKA:
Number of sessions served 3
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 55

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 11/10/1784
City: Island of St. Christopher
County:
Country: British West Indies
 
Death
Date: 10/28/1871
City: Battle Creek, MI
County: Calhoun County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 10/31/1871
City: Battle Creek, MI
County: Calhoun County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Oak Hill Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Sarah Haun of Northumberland, England, 11/12/1825, in Morristown, NJ. She died in Detroit 2/14/1849. Children: at least 4 sons; Digby V., Gustavas, Charlotte M. (Butter or Butler), another sister-- Mrs. H.H. Cushing, plus others

Number of Children:

Background

Religion: "New Church"
Military Service:
Occupation: sailor, businessman, farmer, banker
Race:

Education:

Biographical Sketch:
his father, a retired British naval officer and merchant, died when Digby was 5. He became a sailor at age 13 and was a common seaman 6 yrs; later moved to NY City, working as an agent for a coal company & then a gas company. Moved to a farm in St. Joseph Co., MI, 1834. Held several local offices. Elected probate judge; served as bank commissioner. 1850, moved to Chicago & established the 1st commercial college in Illinois. Served as postmaster in Battle Creek, Michigan State Land Office Commissioner[1844-46] and Michigan Auditor General [1846-48]; Illinois Commissioner of Claims

Notable Facts:
Served in both chambers. Committees: Sen. Finance (chair) Commissioner of the State Land Office; MI Auditor General; Commissioner of Claims in Illinois Rep.Dist. gives birth yr as 1804.

Sessions Served:

Eighth Legislature, 1843
Chamber: Senate
Party: Unknown
Committees Served On: Claims, Finance , Printing , Select Committee on State, University and School Lands
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Ada
County of Residence Kent
District: 5
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/7/1842
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1843
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Seventh Legislature, 1842
Chamber: Senate
Party: Unknown
Committees Served On: Claims, Finance , Incorporations, Printing , Select Committee on Non-Residential Lands
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Ada
County of Residence Kent
District: 5
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/1/1841
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1842
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Fifth Legislature, 1840
Chamber: House
Party: Unknown
Committees Served On: Education , Militia, Banks and Incorporations
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Ionia
County of Residence Ionia
District: Ionia, Kent & Ottawa
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1839
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1840
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

RepDist 3:5-6; DFP 2/17/1890 p.2; Find-a-Grave.com; MIBiog 1:73
View Bibliographical Sources