Charles Nathaniel Bell

Brief Life History of Charles Nathaniel

When Charles Nathaniel Bell was born on 17 March 1917, in Denver, Colorado, United States, his father, Charles Nathaniel Bell, was 27 and his mother, Eugene Ernest Hoffman, was 26. He married Winifred Claire Hiett on 11 January 1937, in Littleton, Arapahoe, Colorado, United States. He lived in Rock Springs, Sweetwater, Wyoming, United States for about 10 years. He died on 1 November 1988, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 71, and was buried in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Photos and Memories (2)

Do you know Charles Nathaniel? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account

Family Time Line

Charles Nathaniel Bell
1917–1988
Gwen Smith Wilson
1921–2000
Marriage: 16 November 1946

Sources (11)

  • Charles Nathan Bell, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records (Worldwide), 1914-1960"
  • Charles Bell, "Colorado Statewide Marriage Index, 1853-2006"
  • Charles Nathaniel Bell, "California, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945"

Spouse and Children

World Events (8)

1918 · Attempting to Stop the War

To end World War I, President Wilson created a list of principles to be used as negotiations for peace among the nations. Known as The Fourteen Points, the principles were outlined in a speech on war aimed toward the idea of peace but most of the Allied forces were skeptical of this Wilsonian idealism.

1934 · Alcatraz Island Becomes Federal Penitentiary

Alcatraz Island officially became Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on August 11, 1934. The island is situated in the middle of frigid water and strong currents of the San Francisco Bay, which deemed it virtually inescapable. Alcatraz became known as the toughest prison in America and was seen as a “last resort prison.” Therefore, Alcatraz housed some of America’s most notorious prisoners such as Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud. Due to the exorbitant cost of running the prison, and the deterioration of the buildings due to salt spray, Alcatraz Island closed as a penitentiary on March 21, 1963. 

1937 · The Neutrality Act

The Neutrality Acts were passed in response to the growing conflicts in Europe and Asia during the time leading up to World War II. The primary purpose was so the US wouldn't engage in any more foreign conflicts. Most of the Acts were repealed in 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Name Meaning

English (northern) and Scottish (Lowlands): from the Middle English personal name Bell. As a man's name this is from Old French beu, bel ‘handsome’, which was also used as a nickname. As a female name it represents a short form of Isabel .

English (northern) and Scottish (Lowlands): from Middle English belle ‘bell’ (Old English belle), in various applications; most probably a metonymic occupational name for a bell ringer or bell maker, or a topographic name for someone living ‘at the bell’ (as attested by 14th-century forms such as John atte Belle). This indicates either residence by an actual bell (e.g. a town's bell in a bell tower, centrally placed to summon meetings, sound the alarm, etc.) or ‘at the sign of the bell’, i.e. a house or inn sign (although surnames derived from house and inn signs are rare in Scots and English).

English: from Middle English bel ‘fair, fine, good’ (Old French bel ‘beautiful, fair’). See also Beal 1.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Discover Even More

As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.

Create a FREE Account

Search for Another Deceased Ancestor

Share this with your family and friends.