Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Benjamin Powell
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
BENJAMIN POWELL, of Sherman Township,
is numbered among its most honored
citizens, and has for many years been
closely identified with its agricultural
interests. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, and
has brought his laud to a high state of cultivation,
the result of which is a handsome annual income. A
West Virginian by birth, Mr. Powell first opened his
eyes to the light in Harrison County, Jan. 15, 1814,
and is thus approaching the seventy-fifth year of
his age. Notwithstanding this he is still hale and
hearty as the result of a temperate life and otherwise
correct habits.
The father of our subject was Benjamin Powell,
Sr., who was born near Winchester, W. Va., and received
a good education. During the troubles of
1812 he entered the army and died therein of
measles prior to the birth of his son, Benjamin.
Soon afterward the mother, Mrs. Polly (Webb)
Powell, removed to Perry County, Ohio, where she
lived several years, then removed to Hocking
County, and there spent her last days. After the
death of Mr. Powell she was married to John
Thompson, by whom she became the mother of six
children. Of her first marriage there were born
three children, Benjamin being the youngest.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, was a
large slave-holder and a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in West Virginia, where he died.
On the mother's side. Grandfather Benjamin Webb
was a preacher, blacksmith and doctor combined.
He followed his trade and the two professions
many years in Hocking County, Ohio, where he
spent his last days. He likewise was a native of
West Virginia and was the owner of a large number
of slaves, but gave them their freedom before
leaving the Dominion.
The subject of this sketch was reared chiefly in
Ohio, and was there first married to Miss Mary A.
Searf, by whom he became the father of two children,
both now deceased. Mrs. Mary A. Powell
departed this life in Ohio, and our subject was
subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth (Goodlive)
Strait, who had by her first marriage one child.
This lady was born in Ohio, and after a wedded
life of forty years and ten days, she died, Jan. 27,
1880, leaving five children. The eldest, a son,
Isaac, during the late Civil War enlisted in
Company F, 114th Ohio Infantry and died in the
service at Vicksburg. Burr, the second son, also
entered the army as a member of the 75th Ohio Infantry,
and died of illness, the result of exposure
leaving a widow and three children. The others are
Jane, Amanda, Margaret, Benjamin and John W.
The last-mentioned makes his home with his father
and has the management of the farm.
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was
married in 1881. was formerly Mrs. Mary T.
(Wright) Broughton, a native of Pennsylvania.
She was first married to Joseph Wright, who entered
the Union Army during the late Civil War.
and after being in prison seven months, died on his
way home to his family, leaving two sons, Frank
and Irwin. Mrs. Wright subsequently married
Jonah Broughton, who died in Sherman Township,
leaving no children. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
with which our subject has been connected for
more than fifty years. During this time he has officiated
as Class-Leader since early manhood, and has
been one of the chief pillars of the church. Of
this church both of his deceased wives were also
members. Politically, Mr. Powell, votes the
straight Republican ticket, together with his sons.
John Powell is a very intelligent and capable young
man, popular in his community, and has served as
Constable.
Mr. Powell came to Clay County in 1873, and
homesteaded a 160-acre farm which he now owns and
occupies. His first dwelling was a little cottonwood
shanty in which the family lived a couple of years,
and then the present comfortable residence was
erected. The outbuildings are all that is necessary
for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain.
Mr. Powell has planted a large number of forest
trees and has an apple orchard of about fifty
trees. There have been added from time to time
the other little embellishments and conveniences
which have so much to do with the happiness and
comforts of a home. The whole premises present
a picture of peace and content which is pleasant
to look upon.