BELL, ALFRED JAMES (1872-1952)

BELL, ALFRED JAMES, furniture dealer and undertaker; b. Derby, 1 Jul 1872, s/o David Bell and Isabella Robinson; m. 1905, Villa Allison, d/o William Allison and Margaret Russell, of Boom Road; d. Newcastle, 21 Nov 1952.

At the time of his marriage Alfred J. Bell was a sales representative on the Southwest Miramichi for the Lounsbury Co. of Newcastle. He moved to town in 1916 and started a furniture store under the name of A. J. Bell & Co. In 1920 he was also advertising furs, mackinaws, and other merchandise for sale.

In 1922 Bell announced that he was opening an undertaking parlor at his store under a manager who had completed a training course in Syracuse, N.Y. In December of that year he bought the Maltby undertaking business, which was much the oldest such concern on the Miramichi. He was active in the field until forced to retire a few months before his death in 1952. He was survived by his wife, Villa Allison, two daughters, and two sons. His sons were also in the undertaking business in Newcastle.