POWELL, William, a successful farmer of Drury township, belongs to an old family of Rock Island county, and the farm he now occupies was redeemed from a wild state by the efforts of his father. He was born in Mifflin county, Pa., August 6, 1850, a son of John and Mary Jane (Swigert) Powell, natives of the same county. The father, left an orphan in early childhood, was a farmer all his active life. He was married in Pennsylvania, and in 1859 brought his family to the farm now owned and operated by his son William. At that time deer and other wild game were to be found in the region and but little land had been cultivated in the neighborhood. He erected a small frame house, which later became the property of his son, this continuing the family home until recently replaced by a more commodious and handsomer dwelling. The father died on an adjoining farm about 1902, at the age of seventy-three years, his first wife having died some years prior to his death. He married (second) Amanda Weaver, who survives him. She was a daughter of Jacob Weaver, who with his wife, is deceased. John Powell and his first wife were members of the Methodist church and he was a republican in politics. They had children as follows: William; Esther, who is Mrs. Reynolds Hayes, of Drury township; Samuel;. Who is of Indianola, Ia., married Annie Anderson; and Henry, who is of Davenport, Ia., is unmarried. By his second marriage John Powell had four children, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of J. G. Powell, which appears, in this work.
At the time his family came to Illinois. William Powell was nine years of age, and he completed his education in the Hazel Dell district school, which he attended until he was about nineteen years of age. He was reared on the home farm, which he helped clear and improve. He was married September 2, 1872, to Miss Nancy Hessman a daughter of Christian and Margaret Hessman. For eight years they lived on rented land, then he purchased the home farm of 100 acres of fine land, on Section 23, Drury township, to which he has added improvements, which make it one of the well-kept farms in the township, including a handsome, modern residence of nine rooms, fitted with furnace heat, and other modern conveniences. He is enterprising and up-to-date in his methods of carrying on his work, and recognized as an able and successful farmer, who is one of the best-known men in his neighborhood. Being of a kindly, congenial nature and interested in the welfare of those about him, he is esteemed and honored as an unright citizen, and is popular with his many friends.
Mr. And Mrs. Powell have two children; Bert, at home, and Margaret, Mrs. Charles Vanatta, of Buffalo Prairie township, Mr. Powell is a republican and has served as road commissioner. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and much interested in its good works.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois And History Of Rock Island County, Volume II, pg. 1364
Published 1914. Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill.