Bell, James
lawyer, United States senator, was born Nov. 13, 1804, in Francestown, N. H. He began to practice at Gilmanton, N. H.; in 1831 he removed to Exeter, N. H.; and in 1846 represented that town in the legislature. In that same year he removed to Gilford, where he took charge of the enterprise of damming the outlets of Lake Winnipiseogee and other lakes, so that the large mills on the Merrimac might not suffer from a diminished water supply during the dry season. By prudent management he gained over those property-owners whose interests seemed to be threatened, and the scheme was successful. He was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1850, and in 1854 and 1855 the unsuccessful whig candidate for governor. In 1855 he was elected to the United States senate, where he served until his death. He died May 26, 1857, in Laconia, N. H.