My Genealogy Hound

WELCOME B. POWELL, who occupies a high position in commercial circles in Allentown, now deals in farm machinery, implements and seeds. He claims Vermont as the state of his nativity, for he was born in Chittenden County, on the 29th of May, 1816. His grandfather, Elijah Powell, was of Welsh descent. His father, Reuben Powell, was born in the Green Mountain State, and by occupation was a farmer. He married Betsy Niles, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of William Niles, who was of English lineage.

The gentleman whose name heads this record spent the first sixteen years of his life in Vermont, attending the public schools through the winter season, while in the summer months he aided in the labors of the farm. In 1833, when in his seventeenth year, he left home and took up his residence in Easton, Pa., where he sought and secured employment with Lewis A. Buckley, a dealer in farm implements, with whom he remained, a trusted employe, for about ten years. In 1843 he came to Allentown and began business in his own interest as a dealer in implements and farm machinery. He has been in continuous business here for half a century, longer than any other of its merchants. He keeps everything used upon a farm, from an oil-can to a binder, carries an extensive stock, and has a large business, which has grown from a small beginning. No man is better known to the farmers of Lehigh County than he. His warerooms are 20x200 feet, in addition to which he has extensive sheds and other buildings.

In connection with his other business affairs, Mr. Powell was interested in a cattle ranch in Missouri, which he recently sold, and which contained twenty-two hundred acres of land. He is a Director in the Second National Bank of Allentown, and was a Director in the Catasauqua National Bank. He was for several years connected with the Lehigh Valley Furnace Company, and was one of its Directors, and for some time a heavy stockholder. His business interests have been extensive and have been well managed. He looks carefully after all details, and his well directed efforts, sagacity and enterprise have made him a substantial citizen, who now ranks among the foremost men of his adopted county.

Turning from the public to the private life of Mr. Powell, we note that in 1839, in Easton, Pa., he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob Hartzell. Her death occurred in 1845, and she left one son, Edmund F., who died in Nebraska in 1888. In 1862 Mr. Powell was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary L. Seagreaves, of Allentown, daughter of Henry Seagreaves.

In his political views Mr. Powell is a Republican, and has served as a member of the Select Council. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church, and he also attends the same. Although now well advanced in years, he is yet quite fond of hunting, and few can excel him in bringing down small game on the wing. Frequently he goes on a hunting trip to the West, and spends a few weeks delightfully in the enjoyment of that sport.