Biographical Sketch of W. Angelo Powell, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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W. Angelo Powell, architect, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and 
was born January 7, 1828.  His early education was received in his
native city, after which he attended school in Philadelphia.  His
parents were desirous that he should fit himself for the Presbyterian
Ministry, and were about to send him to Princeton, New Jersey, for 
that purpose.  For winters he studied medicine with the celebrated Dr.
Smith, of Baltimore, with a view of becoming a practitioner.  However,
he abandoned this idea, and commenced the study of architecture in 
New York City, under Minard Lafever, continuing five years.  After 
this, for a time, he pursued his vocation in that city.  Returning to
Baltimore, he studied civil engineering under Mr. Lathrop, and assist-
ed in the topography of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, between Pedi-
vant and Grafton.  Next he became associated with Robert Mills, an
architect on public buildings at Washington, D.C., which partnership
existed from 1847 to 1853.  During this time he made the designs for
the extension of the United States Capitol, the Washington National
Monument, Marine Hospital and other public buildings.  He again re-
turned to Baltimore and was in the architectural business with his
brothers until 1857, when they went to New York City and Mr. Powell
came to Cincinnati, Ohio.  He had many warm friends in Washington and
Baltimore, and as a result carried several introductory letters to
prominent citizens of Cincinnati, which proved very beneficial.  He
soon had large offices, employed thirteen draughtsmen and did a very
flourishing business until the breaking out of the war, when he lost
$6,000.  Becoming acquainted with Generals McClellan and Rosecrans,
he was prevailed upon to accompany the latter into Virginia, and con-
tinued as engineer through the war, receiving a captain's commission
and was mustered out as Colonel.  He was with Generals Cook, Schenck,
Piatt, Siegel and others.  He planned and built the fortifications at
Harper's Ferry, Winchester and other points.  Was in twenty four en-
gagements, once was slightly wounded, and his horse shot from under 
him, and was twice captured.  The first time it was a question of life
or death, and he shot his captor.  On the second occasion, he passed
through the lines at Harper's Ferry on a pass from General A. P. Hill
as a doctor.  After the war, he became civil engineer for a large 
mining company at Nashville, Tennessee, and was also interested in oil
wells.  Mr. Powell speculated with disastrous results financially.  He
then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and finding the city full of architects,
turned towards Missouri.  Arriving in the autumn of 1866, he located
in St. Joseph.  Friends in the East advised him not to go so far West,
as the country was not sufficiently advanced to afford him employment.
Since locating here, he has designed some of the best buildings in the
Western country.  Mr. Powell has been practicing his profession upwards
of thirty three years, and if attention and ability deserves its re-
wards, he is certainly worthy.  Quite a number of young men have 
studied architecture and engineering with him.  Two of them are prac-
ticing in Eastern cities.  In his early practice he knew all the arch-
itects in the United States, then about a dozen.  In his day architec-
ture and civil engineering were studied and practiced jointly as one 
profession.  Mr. Powell is a healthy, robust man; was never sick but
once, and in that instance, on account of privation in the army.  Is
of a jovial disposition, a brilliant conversationalist, a close student
and keeps up with the times in matters pertaining to his profession.
Belongs to a long lived race of Marylanders.  He was married in 1857,
to Miss Celia Gillmyer, of Hagerstown, Maryland.  They have seven 
chidren now living.  Lelia E., is the wife of William Noyes, of St.
Joseph, and they have one child.

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