The John Albert (J. A.) Bel Collection
 

late 1800s-mid 1900s

5.0 linear feet

Collection Number 243

Prepared by Tammie Pettis

December 2008

CITATION: The John Albert (J. A.) Bel Collection, Collection No. 243, Box number, Folder number, Archives and Special Collections Department, Frazar Memorial Library, McNeese State University.

Archives and Special Collections Department

Frazar Memorial Library

McNeese State University

Biographical Sketch

John Albert (J. A. or J. Albert) Bel was born December 1, 1857 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bel began working at the age of 15. Employment opportunities soon led him to Lake Charles where he met and married (1879) Della Goos, daughter of Captain Daniel Goos. After working for others in the lumber industry in both Louisiana and Texas, Bel ventured out on his own and built his first sawmill in the village of Moeling (near Kinder, Louisiana); he also built his family’s home there. In 1901, Bel and his family moved to Lake Charles. In addition to a home in the city of Lake Charles, the Bel family also owned a home in Big Lake. One of Bel’s many achievements includes building a toll road and bridge to the community of Big Lake. J. Albert Bel was vice-president and director of National Bank (which later became Calcasieu National Bank, and then Calcasieu Marine National Bank). Mr. Bel also served on the Board of Directors of the Majestic Hotel. To all who knew him, J. A. Bel was an intelligent and savvy businessman. When he died December 30, 1918, J. A. Bel was one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens in Southwest Louisiana. Upon his death, many were surprised to learn how generously J. A. Bel gave to individuals and charities in need, because he did so very modestly. 

Scope and Content Note

The collection, primarily from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s, consists of three (3) J. A. Bel Lumber Company, Ltd. plat books of the City of Lake Charles; a book of minutes from meetings of the Majestic Hotel’s Board of Directors; a book of shares for the Majestic Hotel; an Appraisal/Valuation Report conducted for the J. A. Bel Lumber Company site; a Souvenir Edition of the Lake Charles Daily American; and a 1936 City of Lake Charles street map.

 Container List 

Location

Box

Description

 

1

Two (2) Plat Books for the City of Lake Charles (Property of J. A. Bel Lumber Company, Ltd.)

 

2

City of Lake Charles Property Records Book Belonging to J. A. Bel Lumber Company, Ltd. Contains information regarding property records, timber contracts, liens, mortgages, and tax payments in Calcasieu and Allen parishes (and surrounding areas); records are dated from 1894 - 1910.

 

3

[1] Majestic Hotel Book of Shares (May 10, 1905 - May 29, 1922); other documents contained in the book: list of stockholders’ names and number of shares; Succession papers of H. C. Drew (Petitioners: Ella R. Usher Drew, Frank Roberts, and Harry J. Geary); 1957 correspondence between J. A. Kiplinger, E. R. Kaufman, and Glen C. Sawyer regarding shares belonging to Michael H. Kelly (heir of Edith Kelly Tryon); 1945 correspondence between J. A. Kiplinger and Maurice Muller; letters to the Majestic Hotel regarding stocks from: Mrs. H. C. Drew, Frank Roberts, and Harry J. Geary dated February 6, 1918 regarding the H. C. Drew Manual Training School; H. B. Milligan, April 27, 1928; Charles S. and Katherine M. Ramsay, December 27, 1922 and February 16, 1923; Elizabeth M. Watkins, August 15, 1923; Bertha Dumas Smith, November 1, 1930; Ruby Ciolina, October 5, 1945; Paret Family, March 12, 1941; Mrs. S.C. Pope, August 30, 1945; C.A. McCoy, August 20, 1945. [2] Book containing minutes from meetings of the Majestic Hotel’s Board of Directors, 1903 - 1944. [3] Appraisal/Valuation Report dated July 1, 1946 prepared by the American Appraisal Company for J. A. Bel, et al for “The Lumber Mill Site.” [4] Souvenir Edition of the Lake Charles Daily American, 1905. [5] City of Lake Charles street map, 1936.