Zelda Bell

Photographer: Bell
Eastside Square, Girard, Kans.
probably finished between 1888 and 1896 by
James R Bell

While researching this cabinet card, the photographers Zelda Mary Bell and James R Bell were both investigated to determine which Bell was the photographer. The two lived in the same town, Girard, KS, at about the same time but as far as can be determined, they were not related.

James R Bell emerges as the photographer for this card. He was called the “East Side” photographer often in newspaper ads and stories.

Following is the timeline for Zelda Mary Bell, assembled only to prove she was NOT the photographer for this card.

Zelda Mary Bell
(1867 -1953)

Timeline sources: US census, Kansas state census, city directory, newspaper items as shown

1867 Jan 17
Henderson County, IL, Zelda M Bell is born to John McCracken Bell and Mary Faris Hervey
1870 Jul 14
Aledo, Mercer, IL, US census as Mary Bell

1880 Jun 03
Aledo, Mercer, IL, US census as Zelva
1890 Aug 29
Florence (KS) Herald news item says Miss Zelda M Bell is a portrait “paintress”
1891 Dec 24
Marion (KS) Headlight news item says Miss Zelda Bell went to Tecumseh, NE, holidays
1892 Sep 02
Florence (KS) Bulletin news item mentions Zelda Bell in connection with Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor
1894 Dec 27
Peabody (KS) Gazette Herald news item Zelda M Bell of Florence participates at Marion County Christian Endeavor Union convention
1895 Sep 20
Florence (KS) news item says Zelda Bell and Emma Jarvis are engaged in dress making
1897 Feb 26
Florence (KS) Bulletin item says Miss Zelda Bell is secretary of “Kansas Children’s Home So ciety”
1897 Jul 02
Florence (KS) Bulletin item says Miss Zelda Bell is going to a church convention in San Francisco, CA

1898 Aug 12
Emporia (KS) Gazette, news item says Zelda Bell of Florence, KS, is taking photography instructions at Gregg’s Gallery
1898 Nov 10
Burns (KS) Citizen, small ad says Zelda M Bell has opened a studio in Florence, KS
1900 Jun 14
Doyle, Marion, KS, US census as Z M Bell, photographer
1901
Pittsburg, KS, city directory NOT listed
1903
Pittsburg, KS, city directory as photographer in business pages but not listed in residential pages
1905 Mar 01
Girard, KS, state census as photographer; residence at same address as J M Bell, her father
1906 Aug 18
Pittsburg (KS) Daily Headlight news item mentions MISS Bell, photographer
1907 Jan 05
Pittsburg (KS) Daily Headlight news item mentions MISS Bell photographer

continued in next row

1907 Jan 14
Pittsburg (KS) Daily Headlight news item mentions MISS Z M Bell visiting Fort Scott, KS, relatives
1909 Nov 04
Girard (KS) Press, news item mentions Zelda Bell as photographer
1911 Apr 11
Unknown newspaper news item mentions PARK Bell as photographer, disappears
1911 Sep 12
Fort Scott, (KS) Monitor news item mentions MISS Bell the photographer of Girard
1912 Mar 06
Wichita (KS) Eagle news item says Zelda M Bell has registered at the Photographers Convention
1912 Oct 02
Girard (KS) Press news item mentions MISS Z M Bell, photographer
1914 Sep 24
Girard (KS) Press item mentions Zelda M Bell is awarding 2 dollars in photographs as prize in Bread Contest
1915 Apr 08
Girard (KS) Press item says Zelda M Bell is Library Treasurer

1915 May 06
Girard (KS) Press item about death of John M Bell, father of Miss Zelda M Bell
1915 May 15
Rock Island (KS) Argus via FindAGrave site, transcript of obit for John Bell mentions daughter Miss Zelda Bell
1916
Pittsburg, KS, city directory Mrs Sarah J Bell, 1205 N Joplin av
1916 Mar 16
Girard (KS) Press news item mentions Zelda Bell as library treasurer
1918 Mar 02
Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze feature article about cats mentions Zelda Bell studio in Girard, KS
1919 Mar 01
Girard, KS, state census as Z M Bell, living alone, no address or occupation given
1919 Jul 11
Pittsburg (KS) Sun item mentions MISS Z M Bell, photographer attends convention
1920 Jan 09
Girard, KS, US census as photographer at 123 Ozark

1920 Feb 08
Pittsburg (KS) Sun, item mentions MISS Z M Bell headed for Wichita, KS, to visit Mr and Mrs A M Bell, her brother and his wife
1921 Feb 17
Girard (KS) Press item says Zelda Bell is treasurer of the library board
1921 Sep 23
Newton (KS) Kansan item says Zelda Bell of Girard, KS, stopped in Newton, KS, en route from Florence, KS
1922 Jul 01
Abel Photographic Weekly, Vol 30: J R Frazier has purchased the studio of Miss Zelda M Bell in Girard, KS
1922 Aug 03
Girard (KS) Press ad says Miss Zelda M Bell has a Detroit Electric Car for sale
1922 Aug 17
Girard (KS) Press item says Miss Zelda M Bell has left for Wichita
1922 Dec 28
Girard (KS) Press item says Zelda M Bell who has been in Wichita, KS, since selling her Studio in Girard, will spend the winter in St Augustine, FL

There is no mention of photography found after this point

1923 Sep 27
Girard (KS) Press item says Miss Zelda M Bell was in Blain, OH, is now in Girard
1923 Nov 22
Girard (KS) Press item says Zelda Bell has Round Oak Stove for sale, inquire at Miss Shannon’s Store
1923 Nov 29
Girard (KS) Press item says Miss Zelda Bell has moved in with Emily Bruce where she will make her home
1924 May 01
Girard (KS) Press news item says Miss Zelda M Bell has returned from a visit in Nebraska
1924 Aug 07 and Sep 04
Girard (KS) Press news item says Zelda M Bell is visiting in Wichita, KS, to go to California later
1922-1926
Wichita KS, city directory NOT listed
1924 Sep 24
Girard (KS) Press item says Zelda M Bell is visiting in Wichita and will go to California later the same week

1926 Sep 18
Catholic Advance (Wichita, KS) item mentions Zelda Bell, living in Fredonia, KS, has purchased property in Wichita, KS
1927
Wichita, KS, city directory, Zelda M Bell at 2206 Maple
1930 Apr 10
Wichita, KS, US census as Seamstress at 2206 Maple
1953 Mar 01
Wichita, KS, City-County census as Zelda Bell, 4700 Arkansas
1953 Jun 10
Wichita, KS, FindAGrave website, Zelda Bell dies at age 86

Florence (KS) Herald -
29 Aug 1890


Marion (KS) Headlight -
24 Dec 1891

Florence (KS) Bulletin -
02 Feb 1892


Florence (KS) Bulletin -
20 Sep 1895


Florence (KS) Bulletin -
26 Feb 1897

Florence (KS) Bulletin -
02 Jul 1897


Unknown newspaper -
03 Jul 1897

Emporia (KS) Gazette -
12 Aug 1898


Burns (KS) Citizen -
10 Nov 1898


Erie (KS) record -
08 Apr 1904


Pittsburg (KS) Daily Headlight
18 Aug 1906

Pittsburg (KS) Daily Head -
05 Jan 1907


Fort Scott, KS
14 Jan 1907


Wichita (KS) Daily Eagle -
06 Mar 1912

Girard (KS) Press -
02 Oct 1912


Girard (KS) Press -
24 Sep 1914


Girard (KS) Press -
01 Oct 1914


Girard (KS) Press -
08 Apr 1915

Girard (KS) Press -
06 May 1915


Girard (KS) Press -
13 Jul 1916


Pittsburg (KS) Sun -
11 Jul 1919


Pittsburg (KS) Sun -
08 Feb 1920

Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze
02 Mar 1918

Newton (KS) Kansan
12 Sep 1921


Abel Photographic Weekly -
01 Jul 1922


Girard (KS )Press
03 Aug 1922


Girard (KS )Press
17 Aug 1922

Girard (KS )Press
28 dec 1922


Girard (KS )Press
27 Sep 1923


Girard (KS )Press
22 Nov 1923


Girard (KS )Press
29 Nov 1923

Girard (KS )Press
01 may 1924


Girard (KS )Press
07 Aug 1924


Girard (KS )Press
04 Sep 1924

Catholic Advance
18 Sep 1926

This example is from a contributor
Harms-Tobaben Genealogy. It is not a cabinet card. It is an oval mat in a three panel folder. The imprint says "Bell, Girard, Kansas.

Three panel folder with oval mat
from courtesy of Harms-Tobaben Genealogy (dmfarrell54@yahoo.com)

These folders and other formats gained in popularity as the cabinet card format began to lose favor in the early 1900's. They were attractive and could be printed in a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Best of all, they were much easier and faster for the photographer. No more trimming, gluing, coating and tedious waiting while the card dried. They could just slip the finished print into the dye cut mat and close the folder.

Although the cabinet card format can be found from as late as 1930, it was almost completely replaced by other systems by 1920. Beginning in 1888, Eastman Kodak made cameras available to everyone, making the photograph studio less popular and certainly a less profitable business. The studio photographer began to use more efficient, stable and dependable materials.

The imprint does NOT say
"Eastside Photographer"
which was typical of James R Bell, so this photograph was probably finished by Miss Zelda Mary Bell.

Zelda Bell can be documented in Girard, KS, as late as September of 1924.

photographer: Gregg
Burlington, KS
example from pinterest
(see timeline above, 1898)

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and new examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.

James R Bell

Photographer: Bell
Eastside Square, Girard, Kans.
probably finished by James R Bell between 1888 and 1896

In the late 19th century, there were TWO photographers named Bell in the tiny town of Girard, KS,: Zelda M Bell and James R Bell.

And there were four people named James R Bell living in eastern Kansas in the late 1800’s. There was a preacher, a cattleman and a publisher as well as the “east side” photographer James R Bell. Keeping them separated was no mean task.

James R Bell
(1859-1924)

1859
Indiana, various records, James R Bell is born
1888
Girard, KS, news item from 1890 Jun 12, says Bell was operating as photographer at this time
1890 Jan 09, 16
Girard (KS) Press, news items say J R Bell of Girard, KS, is opening a branch studio in Erie, KS
1890 May 20
Lyons (KS) Republican item describes J R Bell as publisher
1890 Jun 12
Girard (KS) Press, J R Bell as the “east side” photographer

1894 Apr 06
Walnut (KS) Journal news item says J R Bell studio is taken over by George C Rager
1894 Apr 15, 19, 24, 26
Girard (KS) Daily World, small ad puts J R Bell, East Side Gallery, at northeast corner of square
1894 Sep 16
Girard (KS) Daily World, news item says J R Bell, East Side photographer has opened a gallery in Pittsburg, KS
1896 Mar 12
Girard (KS) Press, item says J R Bell has redecorated the Girard gallery
1896 Apr 30
Girard (KS) Press, item says J R Bell has installed a Merry-go-round at his studio
1896 Dec 04, 05, 15, 17, 19, 29
Weir City (KS) Daily Sun, small display ad for J R Bell studio over post office
1897 Feb 04
Pittsburg (KS) Daily Tribune, item indicates Mrs Bell, who was apparently running the Pittsburg studio, has sold the studio
1899 Jul 07
Yates Center (KS) Woodson County Advocate, item says J R Bell is now living in Columbus, KS

1899 Dec 21
Columbus (KS) Modern Light, news story shows J R Bell is now working for the Columbus Marble Works but apparently maintains the photography business
1902 Feb 25
Cherryvale (KS) Republican, news item says J R Bell, the photographer is on a business trip to Elk City, KS
1902 Mar 15
Cherryvale (KS) Republican news item says Nina daughter of Mr and Mrs J R Bell was ill
1902 Mar 27
Cherryvale (KS) Republican news item says Bell and Doyle Marbel dealers have been succeeded by J R Bell and son
1903 Apr 22
Cherryvale (KS) Republican, small display ad for Bell’s Studio, NO ADDRESS SHOWN
1906 Apr 26
Arcadia (KS) Times, news item says J R Bell and Miss Della Kalm are married on 20 Apr 1906
1914 Jun 24
Alva (OK) Daily Pioneer, news item says that W A Bradley who worked at the Bell Studio for about 2 years is now leaving the city

1919 Jan 08
Parsons (KS) Daily Sun item says Mrs J R Bell and daughter Harriet came from Mound Valley (KS) to winter with other daughter Mrs S L Busby of Parsons. KS
1919 June 05
Atoka (OK) Indian Citizen Democrat item says J R Bell is in law suit with S W Cole
1921 Jun 24
The Claremore (OK) Messenger item says Mr and Mrs Bell of Bell Studio are visiting Springfield MO
1921 Dec 01
Holdenville (OK) Hughes County Tribune, item says J R Bell is being treated for injuries from explosion
1923 Oct 11
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell of Bell Studio is in Mineral Springs, TX, for health
1923 Oct 11
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell of Bell Studio departed Tuesday for Old Mexico where he will spend the winter for health
1923 Oct 25
Claremore (OK) Messenger item says J R Bell has returned to Claremore from Mineral Wells, TX
1924
Claremore, OK, J R Bell dies at age 65

Girard (KS) Press - 16 Jan 1890

There were many news blurbs and small ads. Only a few are presented here.

So it can be shown that James R Bell operated a studio in Girard, KS between 1888 and 1896. There may have been a Bell studio in Girard a bit before and a bit later too but only these dates can be documented. The photograph here is embossed “East Side Square” so it is a good bet that it was done by J R Bell and not Zelda Mary Bell.

Girard (KS) Press - 12 Jun 1890


Girard (KS) Press - 05 Feb 1891


Girard (KS) Press - 12 Feb 1891

Girard (KS) Press - 12 Mar 1891


Pittsburg (KS) Weekly World - 07 Dec 1893


Walnut (KS) Journal - 06 Apr 1894

Girard (KS) Daily World - 24 Apr 1894


Girard (KS) Daily World Sun - 16 Sep 1894


Girard (KS) Daily Press - 09 Mar 1895


Girard (KS) Press - 12 Mar 1896

Girard (KS) Press -
30 Apr 1896


Pittsburg (KS) Daily tribune -
20 May 1897


Weir City (KS) Daily Sun -
05 Dec 1896


Pittsburg (KS) Daily tribune -
04 Feb 1897

Columbus (KS) Modern Light - 21 Dec 1899

Cherryvale (KS) Republican -
27 Mar 1902


Cherryvale (KS) -
22 Apr 1903


Claremore (OK) Messenger -
24 Jun 1921


Claremore (OK) Messenger -
25 Oct 1923

photographer: Howard and Bell
Girard, KS
example from pinterest

The card at the left is by Howard and Bell, photographers at Girard, KS. It is not known at this time which Bell, James or Zelda, this was. It has not been determined which Howard this is either. There are a couple possibilities.

The card at the right is from the genealogy site of
OLD PHOTOS SAVED FROM TRASH CAN. The blog is currently searching for relatives associated with the photographs.

This card is imprinted with "East Side of Square" a location found in some of James R Bell's advertisements.

photographer: Bell's Studio
East side Square, Girard, KS
example from Opening Doors in Brick Walls

Photographer; Bell
City Hall Bldg, Wier City, KS
example from auction site

Photographer; J R Bell
Girard, KS
example from auction site

Photographer; J R Bell
Girard, KS
example from auction site

Photographer; J R Bell
Girard, KS
example from auction site

photographer" Howard and Bell
Girard, KS
example from Vernacular Photography

Photographer; J R Bell
Girard, KS
example from auction site

Photographer; J R Bell
Girard, KS
example from auction site

photographer: Bells Studio
Girard, KS
example from auction site

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. All the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY are listed there.

This is a work always in progress.

Aditional information and new examples are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made.

All submissions should be free of glare and shadows.
Do not crop.
Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.
Email to the address found in the profile at the bottom of this page.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.