Biography of John Powell, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Powell, Gardner, Moore.

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 331

John Powell

Mr. Powell was born on April 1, 1834, in Genesee county, New York, his parents
being Milo and Lucina (Gardner) Powell. While yet a child he was removed by
his parents to Cass county, Michigan, and there remained until he had gained
manhood's estate, receiving meanwhile a good training in the public schools
and in assisting his father on the latter's farm. When he was twenty-two years
of age he started to the Eldorado of the West, California, via New York and
the Panama Isthmus; landing in Amador county, he at once engaged in mining,
and in 1858 went to Virginia City, Nevada, and there was among the first
discoverers of the mines in that vicinity, and made a fine stake. During the
summer of 1860 he returned to his home in Michigan, and for one year was taken
up with seeing old friends and visiting his relatives. Following this pleasant
trip he returned, by stage from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Virginia City, where
he owned considerable mining property, among which were the claims now owned
by J. W. Mackey, and known as the consolidated Virginia. In 1861 we find him
in the forefront of the gold excitement in Florence, Idaho, with what success
we are not told, and then later he went to Vancouver, Washington, and engaged
in butchering, which he followed until 1873, then came to Baker county. From
this date until 1879 he was engaged in hunting and prospecting, and during
these years he was a veritable Daniel Boone. In 1879 he determined to change
his occupation, and accordingly located a ranch where he lives at the present
time, three miles northwest from Unity, on the south fork of the Burnt river.
>From one quarter section at the beginning, he has increased his holdings to
the mammoth proportions of six hundred acres. His estate is well improved, and
he has a large herd of excellent thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, being one of
the largest owners of pure breed stock in the state. He has three registered
bulls that will weigh about twenty-three hundred pounds a piece.

The marriage of Mr. Powell and Miss M. Ella, daughter of James and Rose Moore,
was solemnized in Baker county on July 4, 1894, and to them have been born
three children: Adell Adalade, Margery Lucina and John Leland A. Mr. Powell is
highly esteemed by all the community, and his life of uprightness has given
him the meed of the admiration and confidence of all, while his thrift is
rewarded by a generous competence.