Library of Congress

BELL, Charles Henry, (nephew of Samuel Bell and cousin of James Bell), a Senator from New Hampshire; born in Chester, Rockingham County, N.H., November 18, 1823; graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1844; studied law; admitted to the bar and practiced in Chester, Great Falls, and Exeter, N.H.; county solicitor for ten years; member, State house of representatives 1858-1860, serving as speaker in 1860; member, State senate 1863-1864, serving as president in 1864; appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term beginning March 4, 1879, and served from March 13, 1879, to June 18, 1879, when a successor was elected; was not a candidate for election to the Senate in 1879; resumed the practice of law at Exeter and also engaged in literary pursuits; Governor of New Hampshire 1881-1883; president of the State constitutional convention in 1889; president of the New Hampshire Historical Society 1868-1887; died in Exeter, Rockingham County, N.H., November 11, 1893; interment in Exeter Cemetery.