My Genealogy Hound

William R. Powell, a farmer and stock raiser of Prairie Township, was born in Grainger County, Tenn., March 4, 1843, and is a son of George and Jane (Haynes) Powell. Joseph Powell, the head of this branch of the Powell family, settled in Claiborne County in an early day in the history of Tennessee, and reared a large family, among whom was Jonathan Powell, the grandfather of the present subject. George Powell was born in 1818, and grew to manhood in his native county, receiving a good education, and taught school, and lived until 1855. Mrs. Jayne Powell was a native of Tennessee, and was the daughter of William Haynes, who was a prominent, enterprising immigrant from North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. George Powell were born the following children: William R., Sarah A. (wife of G. W. Hill), Mary and Lucinda, the latter two living with our subject. William R. Powell was reared and received a common-school education in his early home, and chose farming as an occupation. In 1878 he married Sarah C. Hill, daughter of John Hill, a prominent farmer of Tennessee. To this union were born three children, viz.: Ollie, Mary V. and Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Powell removed to the State of Arkansas, in the year 1883, and the following year settled on their present farm of 240 acres, which is devoted to stock and grain raising. They take an active part in the Baptist Church and Sunday-school. In 1862 Mr. Powell enlisted in the First Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate army, and served until the surrender, participating in some prominent battles, among others the battles of Murfreesboro and Winchester.