Powell, Isaac

POWELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/16/2019 at 13:57:35

Isaac Powell

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.700)
ISAAC POWELL of Hancock is one of the substantial farmers of Valley Township, from an old American family of English descent. His great-grandfather was Morgan POWELL, who came from England at a period long antedating the War of the Revolution, and was one of the old settlers of Saratoga County, New York. Jonathan POWELL, son of the above and grandfather to our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The calf of his leg was shot off and he was lame the remainder of his life. He married Sarah BURVEE of New York state, and they were the parents of six children: Jonathan, Richard, William, Sarah, Jane and Eveline. Mr. POWELL was a farmer in Oswego County, and lived to the great age of eighty-four years, dying in that county. He was a man of integrity and industry, and one of the patriots who were the founders of liberty in their country. Peter POWELL, son of the above and father of our subject, was born in Saratoga County, New York, learned the shoemaker’s trade and bought a farm in Oswego County, New York. He married in Saratoga County, Miss Sally WELDON. To Mr. And Mrs. POWELL were born nine children: Jonathan, Richard, Peter, Weldon, Isaac H., Mortimer, Betsy, Eveline and Esther. Mr. POWELL was a Lieutenant in the War of 1812, was in the battle of Sackett’s Harbor, and his widow drew a pension after his death. Mr. POWELL was a prosperous farmer, a member of the Universalist Church, respect in his county, was county commissioner in Oswego County, New York, for some years, and held the usual township offices. In 1844 he moved to Boone County, Illinois, and was one of the pioneers of that county. He settled on a farm where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a prosperous farmer and law-abiding citizen, and reared his family to habits of industry and good moral habits. He had two sons in the great Civil War, Mortimer and Jonathan. Mortimer was in Company B, 95th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, all through the War and in many battles and two charges at Vicksburg. He was captured at Guntown, 75 miles north of Memphis and confined to Cahaba Prison, Alabama, for ten months, when he was exchanged after suffering great hardships. When captured, he weighed 180 pounds; when returned, only 96 pounds. Jonathan was doing business in New Orleans when the War broke out, and was forced into the Rebel army. There are two families who have had members in all the Wars from the Revolution down.

Isaac H. POWELL, our subject, was born December 23, 1832, in Oswego County, New York, and learned farming in early life. He was a boy of 12 years when he came with his father to Illinois and married, in Boone County, Illinois, Sarah WALKER, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (SMITH) WALKER. Mr. WALKER was an old settler in Boone County from Chenango County, New York, and of an old American family. He came to Boone County in 1840, being one of the active pioneers there. He is yet living on his farm, at the age of 82 years. He had seven children: Hannah, Cornelia Sarah, Phoebe, Ransome, Edgar, Nimrod and Frank. Mr. And Mrs. POWELL have six children: Lindon, Livingston, Frank, Emma, Betsy and Orselia. After marriage, Mr. POWELL settled down upon a farm in Boone County, Illinois, and all his children were born there, except the youngest son. In 1871 he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and settled upon his present place, then consisting of forty acres of wild land, and which, by thrift and energy, he has converted into a fine and fruitful farm. To this he has added until he now owns 321 acres of fine land.

Mr. POWELL has been respected by his fellow citizens and taken an active interest in the cause of education, and has been school director, constable, and road supervisor. He is one of our substantial pioneer citizens, who has helped to make his town and county what is now one of the best in the state. He stands deservedly high for his integrity of character and as a self-made man, and by hard labor made his property. His word may well be said to be as good as his bond. He has four children married, and ten grandchildren. The entire family merits the respect of all who know them for their sterling worth. The daughter, Emma, married J. C. SEARS, a farmer in Valley Township and they have six children, Horace, Harry, Arthur, Flora, Orselia and Beryl. Bettie married B.T. STEPHENSON a farmer in Valley Township, and they have three children, William, Kittie and Cornelia; Livingston, who is a farmer in Valley Township, married Addie FRAZIER and they have one child, Frances. Orselia married Henry SEWARD also a farmer of Valley Township.