James served in the Civil War in Company C of the 5th W. Va. Infantry and also in Company F of the 173rd Ohio Infantry, but most all records cite his W. Va. service for reference.

James married 1st Lucinda Ellen Lambert, Feb. 20, 1867 in Lawrence County, Ohio.
James and Lucinda had two known children.
1. Ulysses Grant Powell
2. Harriet S. "Hattie" (Powell) Freeman

James was living alone in 1870 in Lawrence County, Ohio and Lucinda was living with her parents in Lawrence County and had Ulysses with her. James was "widowed" in 1880 living in Scioto County, Ohio and Ellen was "widowed" living with her parents in Lawrence County and had Ulysses and Harriet with her.

James married 2nd Rhoda (Henry) DeMent, Aug. 15, 1891 in Scioto County, Ohio.
James and Rhoda had four known children.
1. Benjamin "Ben" Harrison Powell
2. McKinley "Mack" Powell
3. Angeline Mayme (Powell) Knowles
4. Sylvia (Powell) Crabtree

Rhoda had married 1st Martin J. DeMent, Apr. 14, 1883 in Scioto County, Ohio.
Rhoda and Martin had three sons.
1. David DeMent
2. William DeMent
3. John Ferman DeMent

James was admitted to the National Home for Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio, Nov. 2, 1915. Admission record information includes: James Powell, enlisted April 2, 1861 in WV, discharged June 11, 1862, born Ky, age 78, 5' 7", farmer, of Portsmouth, Oh, married, wife Rhoda Powell, pension certificate # 366559.

He was listed in the Dayton Home in the 1920 census. James was transferred to the National Soldiers Home in Hampton City, Virginia, Aug. 21, 1920. He died there Oct. 2, 1923 and was buried there Oct. 6th.

His personal effects, which was $23.25, were mailed to his widow, Rhoda Powell, Oct. 27, 1923, c/o Mrs. M. Barger, RFD #1, Lucasville, Ohio.

Rhoda filed for a widow's pension on Nov. 12, 1923.