Joseph H. Bellis

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Joseph H. Bellis (April 26, 1867 – March 1, 1920) was a Maryland politician and businessman from Annapolis. He was born to Ellen Tolson Bellis and William Henry Bellis, attended local schools, and studied at St. John’s College for three years. He owned and later led William H. Bellis & Co., a naval outfitter business.

A Democrat, Bellis served in the Maryland Senate representing Anne Arundel County in 1912, resigning in anticipation of becoming postmaster of Annapolis, a position he did attain. He was sheriff of Anne Arundel County from 1918 to 1919. Bellis also served on the Annapolis City Council, was president of the Board of Supervisors of Annapolis, and was chief marshal of the Annapolis volunteer fire department. He led the Board of Election Supervisors in Anne Arundel County for three years and served on the board of governors and visitors of St. John’s College.

Bellis never married. He died at his home in Annapolis on March 1, 1920, and was buried in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Annapolis.