(Photo)

Frank Bellows 54, Died Friday

Ex-Contractor Who built Phone Building, Swimming Pool Succumbs

Frank H. Bellows, 54, former general contractor and for ten yeas a well-known resident of Blair, was found dead in bed at his home, 503 north West street, Friday morning. A heart attack was said responsible.

A contractor for 25 years, during which time he built many homes and public buildings, including the Blair Telephone building and the Blair municipal swimming pool, Mr. Bellows was forced into inactivity eight years ago by ill health. Since that time he had been a semi-invalid.

Mr. Bellows was born July 14, 1884, in Omaha, where his father, George L. Bellows, was a contractor. He was left an orphan at an early age, his mother dying when he was an infant, and his father passing away a few years later.

He received his early education in the Omaha schools, residing with relatives and friends.

On December 22, 1904, he was married in Blair to Miss Bessie Stricklett of this city, and they moved to Omaha a short time later, where Mr. Bellows was engaged in work which led to his general contracting career.

After remaining in Omaha a few years, they moved to Walthill, where they resided until coming to Blair in 1930. At Walthill Mr. Bellows was a member of the Methodist church, Odd Fellows lodge and the board of education.

Mr. Bellows is survived by his wife, Bessie; two sons, Vernon F. and Donald Bellows of Blair; three daughters, Mrs. Mildred TeSelle of Grant, Mrs. Frances Elwell of Grant and Bonnie Jean at home. There are seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at First Methodist church at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen of the church and the Rev. Mr. Richmond of Aura officiating. Interment followed in Blair cemetery. Pallbearers were six friends from Walthill, C. A. Boughn, W. H. Plummer; George McMullen, Lester Jarvis, E. R. Riley and S. U. G. Shaw.

#29 Mar., 1939 - The Enterprise

RITES HELD FOR FRANK BELLOWS SUNDAY, MAR. 5

In Contracting Work for 25 Years. Known Over Northeast Nebraska

Frank Bellows of this city passed away last Friday, March 3, at his home. At his death he was 54 years, 8 months and 19 days of age.

He had been active in the contracting and building work for twenty five years, and was forced to retire on account of heart trouble eight years ago, since which time he has lived quietly in Blair.

Over northeast Nebraska the name of Frank Bellows, contractor, is well known, for in a number of the towns he has erected some of the best buildings, which stand as monuments to him.

He was born in Omaha to George L. and Anna Mary Edgar Bellows. His father before him was a contractor, and naturally his tendencies led in the same lines. He was left an orphan in his early age, his mother died when he was an infant, and his father a few years later. He was educated in Omaha, and spent much of his early boyhood days with relatives and friends doing farm work.

On December 22, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Stricklett, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stricklett at Blair, and they soon moved to Omaha where he was engaged in work that led up to his general contracting work which he followed until his health failed.

After residing in Omaha for a few years the family moved to Walthill where they resided until they moved to Blair in 1930.

Among the number of fine buildings he constructed over the state are two in Blair, the telephone building and the Blair municipal bath house and swimming pool.

He was still active in the contracting business when eight years ago he was stricken with heart trouble. Since that time he has led a quiet life, quite the opposite of the life led in Walthill where he took an active part in civic affairs, being a member of the school board, of the Methodist church and of the Odd Fellows lodge.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife and five children: Vernon Frederick of Blair; Mrs. Mildred TeSelle of Grant; Mrs. Frances Elwell of Grant and Donald and Bonnie Jean at home. Also seven grandchildren survive.

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. at the First Methodist church on last Sunday with Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen of Blair and Rev. Roy Richmond of Aurora, Nebraska officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

The following out of town people attended the funeral services: C. R. Boughn and daughter, Miss Frances of Pender; C. A. Boughn, W. A. Plummer, George McMullen, Lester Jarvis, E. R. Riley, F. U. Shaw, Mrs. Frank Barney, Byron Berry, Arthur McManigal, John McManigal and Mrs. Hattie McManigal all of Walthill; Edgar and Clark Stricklett, Rita Barber and Roy Good of Omaha; Mrs. Wayne Lampoon of South Sioux City, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Ferne McManigal and Randall McManigal of Sioux City, Iowa; Rev. and Mrs. Roy Richmond of Aurora; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond TeSelle and Mr. and Mrs. Henry TeKolski, Mr. and Mrs. Garrot TeSelle of Firth, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd TeSelle and Dr. and Mrs. Claude Elwell of Grant, Nebraska.

Note: Buried in Block: 97 Lot: 8 Grave: 10. Find A Grave Memorial# 75152385

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~