Thomas Cowan Bell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Cowan Bell was born near Dayton, Ohio
. At the age of 23, he was one of the seven founders of Sigma Chi Fraternity
. He is best remembered for his exemplification of the qualities of learning and friendship. He was full of enthusiasm; a leader and teacher of men.
Bell was one of the "elder statesmen" of the founding group of Sigma Chi. Yet Bell's zest for life and good-natured personality belied his maturity and perhaps his main love, which was learning. He sought wisdom as a student, which he later helped to cultivate in others. As a student at Miami, Bell lived in the Oxford home of his Aunt Lizzie. Because all of the other members of the Fraternity at one time or another lived in Aunt Lizzie's place or took meals there, the house became known as "the first Chapter house of Sigma Chi."
Upon graduation, Bell immediately took up the life of teaching-a career that was interrupted only by service in the Union Army. Undoubtedly, his leadership skills as a teacher helped to account for his rise to the rank of lieutenant colonel (though characteristically Bell preferred to be addressed with a more modest rank, answering to "Major Bell." Bell returned to his career in education after the Civil War, and assumed leadership roles in schools and school districts as principal, superintendent and president of various institutions throughout the West and Midwest. But it was not merely a title that set Bell apart from others; it was his love of learning and teaching, along with a generous spirit and hospitality, that distinguished him. Bell's infectious warmth led Benjamin Piatt Runkle
to describe him as one with "an expression of his face that made one instinctively reach for his hand." Bell, an enthusiastic member of Sigma Chi into old age, died in 1919, the day after attending initiation at Berkeley's Alpha Beta Chapter.
He graduated from Miami University
in 1857, and began his life work of teaching. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army, where he was commissioned as a Colonel and received high commendation. Following the war he returned to his career in education, serving as the superintendent of schools in Nobles County, Minnesota
as well as the principal and president of several preparatory and collegiate institutions in the Western United States
.
Bell's jobs included County superintendent of public schools in Minnesota from 1872-77. He was publisher of journal from 1878–85 and was president of Philomath College from 1885–86 and was also the principal of La Creole Academy from 1887-92. Also he was the president of Central Oregon State Normal School from 1892-96. In the military Bell was captain, major and lieutenant colonel of the 74th Ohio Infantry
and of the U.S. Army from 1861-1863. His memorial is in the San Francisco National Cemetery
.
His grave can be seen in The Dead Pool (1988) alongside Clint Eastwood
and Liam Neeson
. In Jim Carry's funeral scene when Clint Eastwood is talking with Liam Neeson, in the background one can view the memorial of Thomas Cowen Bell on the left side of the screen.
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. At the age of 23, he was one of the seven founders of Sigma Chi Fraternity
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
. He is best remembered for his exemplification of the qualities of learning and friendship. He was full of enthusiasm; a leader and teacher of men.
Bell was one of the "elder statesmen" of the founding group of Sigma Chi. Yet Bell's zest for life and good-natured personality belied his maturity and perhaps his main love, which was learning. He sought wisdom as a student, which he later helped to cultivate in others. As a student at Miami, Bell lived in the Oxford home of his Aunt Lizzie. Because all of the other members of the Fraternity at one time or another lived in Aunt Lizzie's place or took meals there, the house became known as "the first Chapter house of Sigma Chi."
Upon graduation, Bell immediately took up the life of teaching-a career that was interrupted only by service in the Union Army. Undoubtedly, his leadership skills as a teacher helped to account for his rise to the rank of lieutenant colonel (though characteristically Bell preferred to be addressed with a more modest rank, answering to "Major Bell." Bell returned to his career in education after the Civil War, and assumed leadership roles in schools and school districts as principal, superintendent and president of various institutions throughout the West and Midwest. But it was not merely a title that set Bell apart from others; it was his love of learning and teaching, along with a generous spirit and hospitality, that distinguished him. Bell's infectious warmth led Benjamin Piatt Runkle
Benjamin Piatt Runkle
Benjamin Piatt Runkle, was one of the original seven founders of Sigma Chi fraternity at Miami University, as well as a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War.Runkle was born in West Liberty, Ohio...
to describe him as one with "an expression of his face that made one instinctively reach for his hand." Bell, an enthusiastic member of Sigma Chi into old age, died in 1919, the day after attending initiation at Berkeley's Alpha Beta Chapter.
He graduated from Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in 1857, and began his life work of teaching. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army, where he was commissioned as a Colonel and received high commendation. Following the war he returned to his career in education, serving as the superintendent of schools in Nobles County, Minnesota
Nobles County, Minnesota
Nobles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 21,378. Its county seat is Worthington.-Geography:...
as well as the principal and president of several preparatory and collegiate institutions in the Western United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Bell's jobs included County superintendent of public schools in Minnesota from 1872-77. He was publisher of journal from 1878–85 and was president of Philomath College from 1885–86 and was also the principal of La Creole Academy from 1887-92. Also he was the president of Central Oregon State Normal School from 1892-96. In the military Bell was captain, major and lieutenant colonel of the 74th Ohio Infantry
74th Ohio Infantry
The 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 74th Ohio Infantry was organized in Xenia, Ohio beginning October 5, 1861...
and of the U.S. Army from 1861-1863. His memorial is in the San Francisco National Cemetery
San Francisco National Cemetery
San Francisco National Cemetery is a U.S. National Cemetery, located in the Presidio of San Francisco, California. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with Golden Gate National Cemetery, a few miles south of the city....
.
His grave can be seen in The Dead Pool (1988) alongside Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
and Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
. In Jim Carry's funeral scene when Clint Eastwood is talking with Liam Neeson, in the background one can view the memorial of Thomas Cowen Bell on the left side of the screen.