Hiram Parks Bell
(1827 – 1907)
Hiram Parks Bell, who was the last surviving member of the Confederate Congress Colonel, 43rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry, was born in Jackson County, GA on January 19th, 1827. His father, Joseph Scott Bell, was born July 22, 1794 in North Carolina. Hiram’s mother, Rachel Phinazee, was a Georgia native born November 2, 1794. Joseph and Rachel married in 1813 at the age of 19. Hiram’s parents bought land in Forsyth County, GA in 1838 after the removal of the Cherokees to the West. Hiram described it as land that was “unmarked by human invasion”. Hiram was one of 12 children, he had 5 brother and 6 sisters. The family faced tragedy when Hiram’s oldest brother died at the young age of 22. The Bell family grew cotton and tobacco, their biggest crop being cotton. Hiram’s mother and father were married for over 60 years. His father passed away in 1876 and his mother, who lived to be 91, passed away in 1885. Hiram speaks very fondly of his parents stating; “I honor my parents for their character and their virtues; I bless their memory for their love and benefactions to me, in a thousand different forms.”
Hiram had only 6 months of schooling. The schooling he did receive was from “inferior teachers,” that were mostly elderly gentlemen. In 1847, at the age of 20, Hiram left home to attend the academy at Cumming. Hiram left home with no money or property and paid for his books and tuition on credit. Within three months at the academy, Hiram found his true love among the academy’s 100 students, Virginia M. Lester. They married on January 22, 1850. A few months before his marriage, Hiram passed the bar. Hiram was admitted to the bar at Spring Place, GA on November 28, 1849, by Judge Augustus Wright, after an exam that lasted a staggering 4 hours. Hiram declares that he now possesses two things; “the best of wives, and the noblest of professions."
Hiram’s career made a great turn in 1861 when he began serving as a Georgia Senator. He served as a Senator until 1862. He continued in public office in October 1863 when he was elected representative from the ninth district to the second Congress of the Confederate States. This district met in Richmond in December. His career in politics continued until 1901. From 1873 – 1875 and 1877 – 1879 Hiram served as a United States Representative. Shortly after his time as U.S. Representative his wife Virginia passed away. Upon Virginia’s death on April 30, 1888 Hiram spoke fondly of her saying “the ease and grace of her pose, the simple elegance of her manner and the beauty of her face and figure, would have delighted an artist, as a model for his masterpiece”…”for thirty-seven years she made more than one heart contented and happy, and one home a paradise of peace and love”. Hiram remarried on June 11, 1890 to Annie Adelaide Jordan. Hiram continued his career in public office in 1898-1899 as a Georgia Representative. His last term in public office was from 1900 – 1901 when he served as a Georgia Senator.
Hiram passed away on August 16, 1907 in Inman Park, Atlanta. He is buried in Cumming City Cemetery. On August 17, 1907, the Atlanta Journal wrote about him saying “In peace and war he was a Georgian of whom the whole state may well be proud. Born on her old red hills, his entire life was spent here, except during the periods when he was serving her in deliberative halls elsewhere. He goes to his grave full of years and honors, leaving behind him a record which the youth of the state could not do better than emulate”.
Hiram Bell's Biography
Hiram Parks Bell
(1827 – 1907)
Hiram Parks Bell, who was the last surviving member of the Confederate Congress Colonel, 43rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry, was born in Jackson County, GA on January 19th, 1827. His father, Joseph Scott Bell, was born July 22, 1794 in North Carolina. Hiram’s mother, Rachel Phinazee, was a Georgia native born November 2, 1794. Joseph and Rachel married in 1813 at the age of 19. Hiram’s parents bought land in Forsyth County, GA in 1838 after the removal of the Cherokees to the West. Hiram described it as land that was “unmarked by human invasion”. Hiram was one of 12 children, he had 5 brother and 6 sisters. The family faced tragedy when Hiram’s oldest brother died at the young age of 22. The Bell family grew cotton and tobacco, their biggest crop being cotton. Hiram’s mother and father were married for over 60 years. His father passed away in 1876 and his mother, who lived to be 91, passed away in 1885. Hiram speaks very fondly of his parents stating; “I honor my parents for their character and their virtues; I bless their memory for their love and benefactions to me, in a thousand different forms.”
Hiram had only 6 months of schooling. The schooling he did receive was from “inferior teachers,” that were mostly elderly gentlemen. In 1847, at the age of 20, Hiram left home to attend the academy at Cumming. Hiram left home with no money or property and paid for his books and tuition on credit. Within three months at the academy, Hiram found his true love among the academy’s 100 students, Virginia M. Lester. They married on January 22, 1850. A few months before his marriage, Hiram passed the bar. Hiram was admitted to the bar at Spring Place, GA on November 28, 1849, by Judge Augustus Wright, after an exam that lasted a staggering 4 hours. Hiram declares that he now possesses two things; “the best of wives, and the noblest of professions."
Hiram’s career made a great turn in 1861 when he began serving as a Georgia Senator. He served as a Senator until 1862. He continued in public office in October 1863 when he was elected representative from the ninth district to the second Congress of the Confederate States. This district met in Richmond in December. His career in politics continued until 1901. From 1873 – 1875 and 1877 – 1879 Hiram served as a United States Representative. Shortly after his time as U.S. Representative his wife Virginia passed away. Upon Virginia’s death on April 30, 1888 Hiram spoke fondly of her saying “the ease and grace of her pose, the simple elegance of her manner and the beauty of her face and figure, would have delighted an artist, as a model for his masterpiece”…”for thirty-seven years she made more than one heart contented and happy, and one home a paradise of peace and love”. Hiram remarried on June 11, 1890 to Annie Adelaide Jordan. Hiram continued his career in public office in 1898-1899 as a Georgia Representative. His last term in public office was from 1900 – 1901 when he served as a Georgia Senator.
Hiram passed away on August 16, 1907 in Inman Park, Atlanta. He is buried in Cumming City Cemetery. On August 17, 1907, the Atlanta Journal wrote about him saying “In peace and war he was a Georgian of whom the whole state may well be proud. Born on her old red hills, his entire life was spent here, except during the periods when he was serving her in deliberative halls elsewhere. He goes to his grave full of years and honors, leaving behind him a record which the youth of the state could not do better than emulate”.