My Genealogy Hound

John D. Powell is a descendant of one of twelve brothers who came from England to America in very early times, and settled in Virginia. Elias Powell, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the “Old North State,” whither his father had moved from Virginia, and, although a boy during the Revolution, remembered many incidents of that period. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Day, and in 1799 or 1800 moved to Kentucky, being among the very early settlers of that State. Mr. Powell was born in 1774, and died in 1863, when nearly ninety years of age. His son, Elias Powell, was born in Kentucky in 1805, and there married Rachel Naylor, a daughter of James Naylor, by whom he had ten children: John, Joshua, James, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary A., Octavia B., Susannah N., Levinnia and Virginia. The father died in Tennessee, whither he had moved in 1836. He was an old time Whig, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an honorable, industrious farmer. His death occurred in 1854. His son, John D., whose name heads this sketch, was born in Kentucky in 1830, receiving a limited early education. He resided under the paternal roof until twentyfour years of age, at which time he married Mrs. Martha Dunavant, a widow, and began doing for himself. He had a farm in West Tennessee, but in 1874 moved to Missouri, and now owns a farm of 120 acres in Newton County. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a Democrat in politics. His wife is a daughter of William and Mary (McCutchin) Caldwell, who resided in Middle Tennessee, near Nashville. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have three children living: James M., Samuel McC. and Alice E.