William Nathaniel Bell (1817-1887) and his wife, Sarah Ann (Peter) Bell (1819-1856) arrived at Alki Beach in present-day West Seattle with the Denny party and other pioneers on the schooner Exact in 1851. The Bells, settling north of the future downtown area in what would become known as "Belltown," helped to establish the new "Town of Seattle." Sarah Ann Bell was seriously ill when Indians attacked Seattle on 26 Jan. 1856 in the "Battle of Seattle." Bell decided to move his ailing wife and his children to California. Though Sarah died in California that same year, Bell did not return to Seattle until 1870. He sold some of his now-valuable real estate, built the Bellevue Hotel at the corner of First Avenue and Battery Street, and engaged in other businesses, including developing Belltown, where his son Austin Bell had lived for years. Virginia and Olive streets are named for two of Bell's daughters, and Stewart Street honors Olive's husband, Joseph H. Stewart. The Bells had seven children: Martha Ann Bell (1840-1848); Laura Kriziah Bell Coffman (1842-1887); Susan Francis Bell (1844-1845): Olive Julia Bell Stewart (b. 1846 and married to Joseph Stewart); Mary Virginia Bell Hall (b. 1847 and married to George Hall); Albina Lavisa Bell (died in infancy in 1857); and Austin Armenius Bell (1854-1889).
From the description of Robert Roblee collection of William N. Bell family materials, ca. 1850s-1910 (bulk 1870-1897). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 676980054
