Robert Bell was born in Scotland 1821, and came to Can-
ada in 1830 With his parents. The family settled in Hastings
County near the City of Napanee, where he became a farmer.

Robert Bell, a Presbyterian by faith; and Orangeman by
choice and a Conservative by conviction. He was sturdily built,
jet. black head of hair, a head that became bald in a few years,
until it was a round dome, with just a fringe of hair, as was the
fashion, he had a beard.

He married Mary Anderson. Born in 1840 the daughter
of a Methodist minister of Irish and English ancestry.

Five children were born in Ontario and five in Manitoba.
Alexander, Frederick, Albert, and Clara who became Mrs. Wil~
liam Bell, of no relation and Ammott, who became Mrs. Andrew
Morrow. The five children born in Rockwood were George,
Francis, Olive, who became Mrs. Somers and Emily who mar-
ried Samuel Cruikshanks, and Minnie, who became Mrs. Mollard.

Robert: Bell arrived in Rockwood on the 4th day of May,
1871, coming from Hastings County, Ontario to Moorehead, with
a small team “Lady” and “Doll” by name.

He left his wife and family at Fort Garry until he could
build a small log house, stable for the horses, break two acres,
cut his hay with a scythe. In the fall of 1871 they moved to
this spot~—S.E.1/1_—17-13-2 East.

Robert Bell was the first Orangeman to come in to Rock-
wood, “but Israel Mastin was only fifty yards behind me,” he
said. Both were members of an Orange Lodge in Hastings
County, Ontario.

Robert Bell played the violin, loved music, took a great
interest in the Methodist church built on the present Rockwood
Cemetery, and also in all community, Council and school affairs.

Mrs. Robert Bell brought her spinning wheel and carders.
and a stove.

Bell himself brought his old fashioned cradle, his muzzle
loading shot gun with plenty of powder and shot.

DAILY FREE PRESS
November 18th, 1875
Alex Bell, son of Robert Bell of Rockwood while hewing
a stick of timber met with a serious accident, the axe glanced

and buried itself in his instep. The young man will be laid up
for some time.

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BELL’S RINK

Frank Bell Says:

His father cleared an area in the bush east of the stable,
and in winter flooded it for skating. A well was dug at one end.

We had a number of pairs of skates that fastened onto
our boots, and most of our family learned. to skate. Afterwards
my older brothers “made” the ice.

Some of the fund raising events of the church, centred
around this ice; skating in the afternoon, supper at the church,
and then an evening of singing and songs, and a program.

I do not remember any particular curling game in 1885,
but there were many curling games, as the rlnk was sheltered.

The ice was about 30 x 140 feet and iron rocks were used.

CLARA BELL

Clara Bell, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bell was
the first person from Roekwood, to obtain advanced educatlon;
attending for four terms the St. John’s College for Ladles.

It took money to send a daughter to the Ladies College»—
and her tuition was paid in cash.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bell raised the money by “putting
a mortgage on the homestead.”

The mortgage dated May 29th, 1879, was for four hundred
and fifty dollars payable at the end of three years With 1nterest
payable every six months at the rate of twelve per cent per
annum.

The money was borrowed from “The Mayor and Council
of the City of W’iv'mipe‘g.” How Robert Bell talked the Clty of
Winnipeg into loaning .him the money, or how the City of
Winnipeg decided that Robert Bell was a good risk, 15 not
known.

The mortgage was paid in full on due date—together with
$162.00 interest. Alexander Logan signed as Mayor for the City
of Winnipeg and C. J. Brown as Clerk of the City.

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