William Wood Powell

b. 17 December 1852, d. 29 March 1912

William Wood Powell, 1852-1912

  • William Wood Powell was born on 17 December 1852 in Montgomery County, Texas, at Greenwood plantation.
  • He was known as Wood.
  • On Wednesday, 4 July 1855, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Billy and wife started to Galveston to Meet Mr. Powell and Lizzie, with two carriages and drivers." And on Monday, the 9th, "Billy, wife and all returned this evening with Mr. Powell and Lizzie and child and nurse, got home this evening."
  • On Tuesday, 14 October 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Wood, Mr. Powell, and Ella and Wood started on a visit to Mr. Fisher, C. Abercrombie's, and Mr. McGar and Colonel Yoakum."
  • On Thursday, 17 June 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs Wood, Mr Powell with Ella & Wood left for Sour Lake this morning."
  • On Wednesday, 21 July 1858, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs W. & Mr Powell & children got home from the Sour Lake. All well."
  • William Barnes Wood and Cornelia Josephine Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery County, Texas. Other members of the household included William Wood Powell, Evelina Wood and Robert Micajah Powell. Robert M. Powell was the widower of William Barnes' sister Elizabeth Green Wood.
  • On Wednesday, 27 June 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Wood, Mr. Powell, Ella and Wood Powell and Wm B. W. and wife and daughter all left for Sour Lake." And on Monday, 1 July, "Bob returned from Sour Lake with the Waggon and six mules, left all well." On Monday, 9 July, "Started Bob with waggon and six mules to Sour Lake to bring the Bagage." And on Sunday, 15 July, "Mrs. Wood, Mr. Powell and the rest returned from Sour Lake. Mr. A. W. Speight and Lady came also.
  • Captain "Mike" Powell wrote to his young sister-in-law Ella Wood on 6 April 1862, from Camp Wigfall, near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He ended the four-page letter, "We are all enjoying fine health now & are very anxious to see Lt. Hill return with our recruits. Your bro' Campbell is getting very fat, Bose not so fat as he used to be, & Pete Williamson looks like a Dutchman that drank a gallon of Lager beer every day. We all want to go home very much but not until the war is over. If I never come home you must tell Wood that you are to take care of him & that he must love you & wait on you as long as he lives, & when war comes he must fight for his country & not stay at home. Give my love to your father and mother & all the family, Your Bro' Mike."
  • Robert Micajah Powell and Elizabeth Grace appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Baltimore, Maryland, and one female servant.. Other members of the household included William Wood Powell, George Francis Powell.
  • He married Sarah Malloy McEachin, daughter of Charles McEachin M.D. and Jane Elizabeth Falconer, on 18 June 1879 in Pisgah, Woodford County, Kentucky.
  • William Wood Powell and Sarah Malloy McEachin appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Pana, Christian County, Illinois, and one female servant.. Other members of the household included Evelyn Elizabeth Powell.
  • He was a grain dealer, according to the 1880 census.
  • On 12 April 1887, Evelina Alexander Barnes wrote to William Wood Powell:
         Willis, April 12, 1887
    My Dear Grand Son,
         Yours of 26 March came in due time. Was glad to hear from you & family. I came to town last Sunday - Billie, Josie and Lina's two oldest children with us. I have just had a call - interruptions trouble me more now than formally. My health is as good as usual, though have not regained my strength. take some exercise every day to enable me to go round visiting a bit better – Ella is assisting Mrs. Woolridge in preparing for Maud's wedding (the only daughter) She marries on the 14, next Thursday night. A Mr. Watson who stands well in Willis. he is a dry goods clerk in T. W. Smith's store. Ella assisted in making ten large cakes yesterday & they are finishing them this morning. Ella’s afternoon will be devoted to icing & embossing them. she had several cakes baked here & will prepare some of the meats in her kitchen. Mrs. W. knows very little about such things. Lina has been quite sick recently – was not well when I left – I passed last Friday with her. she has a beautiful place a nice but very small house. She keeps a cook & grown nurse. Her time is taken up with out doors work. She says she is determined to raise her meat this year & sell butter enough to pay for her sewing. She can’t bear house work. She is now raising bronze turkies. they are very much larger than the other kind. has sent on for Pekin ducks. Jim A. has been in the Alliance store in Willis the last 7 weeks. He gives the farm no attention whatever, goes home Saturday nights & returns Mondays. Josie keeps Josie Lee altogether and she is a deal of trouble. Her dear patient grand ma says she can not do without her. Billie has so little to do at home for the want of rain. He comes to Willis about three or four times per week. A great deal lovely weather & east wind but no rain. ground too hard to finish planting cotton, garden almost at a stand still – Billie sets out cabbage plants by watering the ground so as to pull them up & water the ground to set them out. His corn looks green & pretty but almost quit growing. Campbell writes me no rain in his county yet, he thinks of looking for a location to practice medicine. I can not see how he is to live – but will try to hope for the best. Billie went to Huntsville last Thursday. started at 5 o’clock A.M. and returned at 5 P.M. went in his buggie. He dined with Judge Randolph & Eliza. Eliza wrote me a lengthy letter by Billie. About three months she expects a little Randolph. She was 40 years old last January. Your aunt Mary Jane is going to Montgomery soon & from there to North Carolina to see Mrs. Brevard, the lady by whom she was raised. Dr. Legrand wrote Mary Jane he would foot all of her expenses - a dear good brother. Milton Wood is building a brick house with seven rooms. He is making money & saves it - he has only one child. George Wood & wife will begin keeping house now very soon. Green Aleck will remain with his father & mother. I have not a correspondent in Montgomery consequently know but little of my relatives. Hope to see Annie Coxe soon & hear from Col. Powell & family. She came when I left. Lizzie Hill I hear from often, but see her seldom. She stays at home closely, has not been to see Eliza yet. I wish your three sweet daughters & Campbell’s girls, Lina’s & Ella's little red head could see each other & become acquainted. I want Lina to send you one of Willie's pictures recently taken. How I long to see you my dear boy and your sweet wife & children. I sometimes think Is life worth living? when kindred are so far away. Sarah & brothers are building & will soon be in the new home all their own - it is next door to Mrs. Mary League her aunt. She was Mary Williams is well off & assists Sarah a good deal. The Campbell family all well in Galveston I’m still fond of teaching & seeing the money come in. Billie & Josie will be in to the wedding. Dr. W. lives across the street from us. I expect to witness the ceremony. All join me in love to you & your dear ones.
         Your loving grand mother, E.A. Wood.
         I hope you & Campbell keep up your correspondence – Write soon again.
    Letter in private collection of B. M. Henwood, descendant of Wm Wood Powell; original transcription by R. E. Reichardt.
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1899 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory listed as a traveling for Woodson-Young Grain Company, his residence Pana, Illinois..
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1900 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 6926 Bradley Avenue listed as a bookkeeper with Woodson-Young Grain Company..
  • William Wood Powell and Sarah Malloy McEachin appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in St. Louis, Missouri, at 6926 Bradley Avenue. Other members of the household included Evelyn Elizabeth Powell, Mary McEachin Powell, Virginia Lee Powell, Mildred Falconer Powell, George Powell and William Wood Powell Jr.
  • He was a grain dealer, according to the 1900 census.
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1901 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 1214 North Sarah employed as a salesman by Connor Bros & Company..
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the '1902 & 1903 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 4018 Morgan employed as secretary of J. B. Bartlett Grain Company, 402 North 3rd, apparently living not far from his half-brother George Francis Powell, and employed at the same address...
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1904 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 3818 Delmar Boulevard listed as "grain.".
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1905 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 3818 Delmar Boulevard listed as "grain," 105 North 3rd..
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1906 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 3818 Delmar Boulevard employed as manager of the Cleveland Grain Company at 204 North 3rd. Note that his half-brother George Francis Powell was employed at the same address..
  • William Wood Powell appeared in the 1907 St. Louis, Missouri, City Directory at 3818 Delmar Boulevard employed as a salesman by John E. Hall Commission Company..
  • William Wood Powell and Sarah Malloy McEachin appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in St. Louis, Missouri, at 3949 Washington Boulevard. Other members of the household included Evelyn Elizabeth Powell, Mary McEachin Powell, Mildred Falconer Powell and George Powell.
  • He was self-employed as a grain merchant, according to the 1910 census.
  • William Wood Powell died on 29 March 1912 at age 59 in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • He was interred at Rosemond Grove Cemetery, Rosamond, Christian County, Illinois.
  • Last Edited: 13 Dec 2013

Family: Sarah Malloy McEachin b. 13 December 1855, d. 16 July 1927