James Frederick POWELL, a prominent tobacconist and highly esteemed
citizen of Corydon, Henderson County, Kentucky, was born 21 Sep 1841,
and is a son of Thomas W. and Elizabeth (DORSEY) POWELL.
His father was
born in Virginia, 4 Oct 1811, and came to Henderson County when he was
quite young, and subsequently owned a greater portion of the land upon
which the town of Corydon is now situated. He married Elizabeth
DORSEY, daughter of Noah DORSEY and was the father of
15 children: John A.; Mary F.; Samuel
H.; William S.; Eveline; Maggie;
Pattie; Olivia; Ida; Richard; Henry;
Allen; Thomas M.; and Edwin R. POWELL.
Thomas W. POWELL
died 2 Apr 1892 and his wife, Elizabeth Dorsey POWELL, died 14 Dec 1891.
Harrison POWELL
(grandfather) was a native of North Carolina, who removed to Kentucky
with his parents when he was a child and located in Henderson County,
where he was prosperous farmer. Harrison married Elizabeth
McCLANAHAN.
His father, Willoughby
POWELL, was a native of North Carolina, who lived for many years
in Henderson County.
Thomas McCLANAHAN
(maternal great-grandfather) was a native of Virginia, who removed to
Logan County, Kentucky, where he died. He was appointed Captain of a
squadron of Tennessee soldiers in the Revolutionary War. His appointment
was by General Nathaniel GREENE, whose niece was Captain McCLANAHAN's
wife.
Thomas McCLANAHAN
(maternal great-great-grandfather) was a Baptist minister of Virginia,
whose wife was a Miss _____ MARSHALL.
Noah DORSEY
(Maternal grandfather) was a native of Maryland, of Irish extraction,
and married a Miss ____ HALL of Jefferson County. They removed
to Henderson County very early in the present century, and are buried
in the cemetery at Corydon.
James F. POWELL
was reared on his father's farm, attending the neighborhood schools,
and also an advanced school in Henderson. He entered the confederate
army at the beginning of the war and remained till its close, serving
under Generals John H. MORGAN and Basil W. DUKE.
After the close
of the war he was engaged in merchandising in Corydon, in which he continued
successfully for nearly twenty years. January, 1884, he embarked in
the tobacco business, buying and selling, and in connection therewith
he soon established a large stemmery at Corydon, in which he prepares
tobacco for the European market. He is also extensively interested in
farming.
Mr. James F.
POWELL is one of the most highly respected citizens of Corydon,
and is greatly admired for his upright Christian character.
James married
Emma WILSON, 18 Nov 1866, daughter of James WILSON and
a native of Southern Arkansas. Mrs. POWELL is a lady of very
engaging manners, active and energetic in good work and of sterling
qualities, which have made her very helpful in her worthy husband's
successful career. They have nine children, whose names are as follows:
James Basil; Olivia Nora; Della;
Annie; Ruby; Ozella; John W.; Ruth
and Fanny May POWELL.
Kentucky Biographies,
John W. Gresham Company, 1896.
JAMES
FREDERICK POWELL REFERENCES