Born into a prominent family in Pittsford, NY, he married a wife descended from English nobility and would serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. James Bellows and his company were drawn to Dakota Territory to help with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad.
James Bellows was born on December 30, 1829, the oldest son of Ira and Mary (Buck) Bellows. He was named after his grandfather Colonel James Bellows who led Colonial during the Revolutionary War. His father, an attorney in Pittsford, NY, would also served in the NY state militia for decades before retiring as Brigadier-General.
James Bellows married Lavina [sometimes listed as Laura] Amelia Worthington on May 9, 1850 in Homer, Michigan. The couple had three children; a daughter Minnie Amelia Bellows (b. Nov 4 1851 in Pittsford, NY); son Ira Worthington Bellows (b. Jan 11, 1857 in Pittsford NY) and Mary E. born 1852 who died sometime between the ages of 3 and 8 likely in Buffalo, NY.
He served briefly in 1863 in the Civil War in the New York 148th Infantry, Company S, listed with the officer rank of "Surgeon" which equates to a lieutenant's rank.
His father Ira died on January 5, 1855. As oldest son, the family estate at 109 Plymouth Ave in Rochester, NY was left to him and he moved his family there from Buffalo, NY.
His wife Lavina died March 16, 1867 at the age of 37. His sister Jane and brother-in-law James Roswell Chamberlin moved into the family home to care for his 2 remaining children and his mother Mary while James left to direct the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad across western Dakota Territory.
His company Walker, Bellows and Company (later to become Bellows, Fogarty and Company) was awarded a contract with the railroad on December 27, 1878 to build the westside river dike in support of the Missouri River railroad bridge between Bismarck & Mandan. The company was later awarded both approaches to the bridge as well as the rail line from Mandan to the east bank of the Yellowstone River at Glendive Montana.
James Bellows would decide to permenantly settle in Mandan. He initially rented a house in downtown. He sent for his children and widowed mother Mary to join him. In 1881 while the NP Railroad bridge was still under construction, James purchased rural property just north of the city; 160 acres in the NE corner of Township 139-Range 81-Section 21 and grew celery he likely learned from his father-in-law while courting his wife in Homer, Michigan.
Bellows also started a farm implement dealership in town.
His son Ira also settled in the area, establishing a ranch near Mandan along the Little Heart River.
1884 Ad Mandan Pioneer Immigrants Edition No.21
He operated Bellows Landing (later known as Rock Haven, which was a steamboat port. Wood, coal, ice and other provisions were offered. The facility was eventually purchased by the US Corps of Engineers to service its Missouri River snagboat fleet.
In 1881, he helped to establish the First National Bank, the first bank in the city. Initially a Director, we served as its President twice in 1881 and 1884. Other stockholders in the bank included prominent businessmen Hiram Lyon and Charles Edgar Haupt. (Haupt and his brother Herman would later become partners with the Marquis de Mores in his stock ranch and meat packing venture near Medora.)
James gained the respect of his fellow citizens, and in 1882 was the first elected (as opposed to appointed) Mandan village president (i.e., mayor.)
His mother Mary died in Mandan on May 12, 1889.
James died unexpectedly in Mandan on January 7, 1890 after suffering for only a week from lagrippe (i.e., acute pneumonia) at age 62.
He is buried beside his wife in the family plot in Pittsford NY.
The MHSoc's museum and office is located at 3827 30th Avenue NW; Mandan, ND 58554 Contact us at info@mandanhistory.org
