Charles Henry Bell (November 18, 1823 – November 11, 1893) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Exeter, New Hampshire. Bell served New Hampshire in both the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate, as a U.S. Senator, and as the 38th governor of New Hampshire.

Early life

Charles H. Bell was born on November 18, 1823, in Chester, New Hampshire, one of the ten children of Governor John Bell. He was also the nephew of Samuel Bell, first cousin of James Bell and the first cousin, once removed of Samuel Newell Bell.

Service in the New Hampshire General Court

Bell's career in the New Hampshire General Court was notable in that he held two unique offices. In 1860 Bell was the Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. and President of the New Hampshire Senate in 1864.

Writings

Bell was the author of an influential early history of Exeter, New Hampshire, as well as a number of other books. His first wife was Sarah Almira Gilman, daughter of Nicholas Gilman; his second wife Helen A. (Williams) daughter of Reuel Williams of Portland, ME, and widow of John Taylor Gilman of Exeter. Both wives were descendants of Edward Gilman Sr., an early Exeter settler who had previously lived in Hingham, Massachusetts, and Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Honors

Bell was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1868.

Death and burial

Charles Bell died on November 11, 1893 (one week shy of his 70th birthday) in Exeter, New Hampshire, and is buried at the Exeter Cemetery in that town.

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