************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

Submitted by Cheryl VanWormer 






			   JOSEPH P. AND RUTH (GOODWIN) POWELL.

	Joseph Priestley Powell was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 28, 1821, being the tenth in 
a family of thirteen children.  His father, John L. Powell, who was born Jan. 1, 1780, at 
Lanesboro', Mass., was one of the pioneers to Trenton township in the county named.  He was a 
student at Williams College, Massachusetts.  In 1800 he married Miss Nancy Ann Peck, and removed 
to Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1804.  His wife died in December of the same year, leaving him three 
children.  In 1806 he married, for his second wife, Miss Margaret Hulburt, daughter of Hezekiah 
Hulburt, one of the four landlords of Holland Patent.
	Mr. Powell, after his second marriage, turned his attention to agriculture, and lived for
sixty-five years on a farm about a mile east of the village of Holland Patent.  His education and
talents, united with a generous, noble nature, won him the entire confidence of the community in 
which he lived.  He was a counselor and arbitrator whom the inhabitants of the new colony were 
wont to honor.  He was an officer in the army in the war of 1812, and at the close of that 
conflict returned to his family and loved occupation,--farming.  He died of paralysis, June 25, 
1871, aged ninety-one years.  Mrs. Margaret Powell was very ill at the time of her husband's 
death, and survived him but a few days.  Her decease occurred July 7, 1871, when she had reached 
the age of eighty-four years and ten months.
	Joseph P. Powell enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by an academy, and at the 
age of sixteen began teaching school winters, passing his summers at home on the farm.  When he 
became of age he came to Michigan, and, while living with a sister, continued his occupation of 
teaching, being employed in that capacity for one year in Marengo township, Calhoun Co.  
Returning to New York he remained one year, after which he spent a year in Illinois, finally 
coming to Ronald township, Ionia Co., Mich., and purchasing and locating upon one hundred and 
sixty acres of land which form a part of his present farm of four hundred acres.  He is the owner
of an aggregate of about seven hundred acres, the larger portion of which is improved.
	Nov. 11, 1846, he married Miss Ruth Goodwin, daughter of Chauncey and Sarah Goodwin.  She
was born in Steuben township, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 14, 1831.  Her father was a native of 
Connecticut, and her mother, whose maiden-name was Sarah Hubbard, was born at Middletown, in the
same State.  Mrs. Powell was the ninth in a family of eleven children.  Her parents removed to 
Michigan in 1840, and settled on section 34 in the township of Ronald, Ionia Co.  Her mother 
died Aug. 11, 1847, and her father April 3, 1864.
	To Mr. and Mrs. Powell have been born seven children, who are all living.  They are C. 
Frances, born Aug. 8, 1849; Henry W., born July 30, 1852; Mary C., born Nov. 29, 1854; Ella M., 
born May 16, 1857; Horace H., born March 24, 1859; Herman J., born Jan. 30, 1864; Herbert K., 
born April 27, 1866.
	For three years succeeding his marriage Mr. Powell engaged during the winters in 
teaching, and since then has devoted his time to the culture and improvement of his farm.  In 
politics he is a Republican.  He has always manifested much interest in school affairs, but has 
never aspired to political honors.  His oldest daughter, Frances, is now Mrs. William E. 
Normington, residing in Ronald township.  Mr. Powell and his wife have been members of the 
Baptist Church since 1858.  Their oldest son, Henry, is a member of the senior class at Kalamazoo
 College, and is preparing himself for the Baptist ministry.  A daughter, Mary, has been a 
student in the art department of Hillsdale College, and is now pursuing a course of select 
studies in that institution.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Page 349.  Ronald.