My Genealogy Hound

POWELL, CHARLES M. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P.O. White Hall. Mr. Powell was born in Madison County, Illinois, December 29, 1835. His father was James Powell, a native of Kentucky, who emigrated to Greene County in an early day; where he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Silkwood. He passed away when Charles was but twelve years of age, and but little can now be gleaned relative to his life career in Illinois. Mrs. Powell survived her husband many years. Charles, from whom this sketch is obtained, grew to manhood in Greene Co., plenty of hard work falling to his lot, as his parents’ circumstances were limited, and this deprived him of educational advantages. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Pear, who was born in Greene County. One child, Lorenzo, born of this marriage. Mr. Powell procured his first start in life in the following manner: In an early day, over flowed land on the bottoms was owned by speculators, who were often absent for years. On this land Mr. Powell raised some abundant crops, and made considerable improvements by means of fencing. In a short time so great was his industry that he was enabled to purchase an eighty acre tract of land. He now owns 247 acres which is nearly all under cultivation. Although quite a young man, Mr. Powell is among our most substantial farmers, whose energetic nature has conduced very materially toward his present prosperous condition.