David Garvin & Hannah Lovenia (James) Powell

David Garvin Powell, born March 12, 1843 in Kosciusko County, Indiana to Aaron Powell and Elizabeth Garvin, died May 2, 1927, buried at Smithfield Cemetery. David married Hannah Lovenia James September 1, 1862 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. David served with the Grand Army of the Republic - 6th Iowa Calvary in the Civil War. Following his military service, he was a farner. Hannah Lovenia James was born August 30, 1845 in Woolwich, Kent County, England. She immigrated to America with her parents, Richard and Elmira L. (Mallory) James and brothers Samuel and Napoleon (born mid-ocean) in 1847. The James family moved to Iowa from Illinois in 1855. Hannah died March 13, 1939 at the home of her daughter, Marian Mimogene Powell Smith near Volney. Interment was at Smithfield Cemetery. To this union were born nine children: Mary Rosetta, Prudence Mary, Nettie Roberta, Louis Charles, Clarence Mosteller (my great-grandfather), Samuel Preston, Agnus Esther, Ainsworth Leroy and Marian Mimogene.

Hannah Lovenia (James) Powell as a young and aged woman

Sitting: David Garvin and Hannah Lovenia (James) Powell
Standing: Clarence Mosteller, Nettie Roberta (Powell) Newville and Ainsworth Leroy Powell

Louis Charles Powell, born November 30, 1868 in Allamakee County, died December 17, 1958 in Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1910, he was a farm laborer. Louis married Minerva Ella May Howard on December 16, 1889 in Postville. They had four children: Pearl, Richard Earl, Arthur McKinley and Elthia. Clarence created over 50 dioramas based on bibical and historic events using simple tools and materials such as a pocket knife, cotton balls, wood, plants and bed ticking. The diorama shown (below left) is "God Calls Forth Adam and Eve" based on the story from the Bible of God calling Adam and Eve after eating the apple. With his grandson (Gaylord Riley) and friends, he built the Temple of Artistic and Carved Art in DeSoto, Wisconsin (below right) where he displayed his dioramas and carvings. Clarence's dioramas have been on display at the John Michael Kohler Museum of Fine Arts in Sheybogan, Wisconsin since 1988. Temple of Artistic & Carved Art - Click to enlarge

Lewis Charles Powell

Clarence Mosteller Powell, my great-grandfather), was born June 10, 1871 in Allamakee County, died Allamakee County November 5, 1945. Clarence served his country during the Spanish American War, as a army hospital corps medic in Florida. During his lifetime, he visited 44 states in America. During his life time, Clarence was a tailor, lecturer and artist. In 1928, Clarence took into his home and raised his two grandchildren, Marcia and Gaylord (my father) Riley.

Clarence Mosteller Powell Spanish-American war soldier

Clarence Mosteller Powell lecturer & artist

Clarence Mosteller Powell

right to left:
Clarence Powell, wife Mary Pearl (Maxwell), son Lawrence Keith and daughter Ruth Eleanor

Clarence Powell and daughter, Ruth Eleanor

Ruth Eleanor Riley & children Marcia & Gaylord Eugene Riley

Ruth was born October 7, 1900. She died August 16, 1956 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and is buried in Viola, Wisconsin. She married Frank Riley September 17, 1918 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Frank and Ruth were divorced in 1921. Ruth married her second husband Seymour Rusk December 25, 1922. Children from her first marriage to Frank Riley are Marcia Marie Riley, born August 23, 1919, died June 1975 and Gaylord Eugene Riley, born February 6, 1921. Children from her second marriage are Pearl Louise, Dorthoy Ann, Ella Elaine, Clarence Seymour, Harold Jerry, Carol (died in infancy), Bonnie June, Lawrence Keith, Shirley (died in infancy) and Donald LeRoy Rusk.

Clarence Powell and grandson Gaylord Riley

Gaylord, known as Gene to family and friends, served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1947. Ships served on: U.S.S. Brazos - tanker, YMS 117 - minesweeper, U.S.S. Talamanca - troop supply ship, YP414 - yard patrol boat, U.S.S. Adhara - liberty ship for hauling supplies,  U.S.S. Gardiner's Bay - seaplane tender. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948 and retired in July 1967. Following his military retirement, he worked for the CIty of Bellevue, Nebraska and served as a firefighter on the Bellevue, Nebraska Volunteer Fire Department until 1985. He married Frieda Kathryn Schellhammer on May 5, 1950.

Lawrence K. Powell

Lawrence K. Powell

Lawrence, a few years older than the photo to the left (tin-type)

Lawrence Powell USS New Jersey

Lawrence Powell USS Marietta Lawrence Keith Powell born July 29, 1892 to Clarence and Mary Pearl (Maxwell) Powell. Enlisted in Navy in 1917, served on the USS New Jersey and USS Marietta. Was in New London, Connecticut naval station in 1920-21 attending school to become a radio operator. At least one known child of Lawrence' was named Jimmy. Last known location for Lawrence and his family was San Joaquin, California in the late 1930s to early 40s

Agnus Esther Powell Agnus Esther (Powell) Ferguson, born March 22, 1881, married Gene Ferguson, had one daughter, Lena Ferguson.

Marian Mimogene Powell Marian Mimogene (Powell) Smith, born February 8, 1885 Allamakee County, died February 13, 1987 in nursing home in Lansing, Iowa. Burial February 16, 1987 at Smithfield Cemetery near Volney. Marian married Ira Smith in Allamakee County, unknown date. To this union were born six children: George Alan, infant (stillborn?), Lura Ottis, Lee Filmore, Roy Elwood and Viola Bell. Aunt Marian was a member of the E.U.B. Methodist Church. One could always count on seeing her outside working in her garden in the early morning hours of the day during the summer months. She was a terrific mother, grandmother, aunt and cook, my favorite being her carrot cake. She had an old treadle sewing machine that was fun to try and learn how to make it work

Leon and Gladis Powell
Children of Samuel Preston Powell, grandchildren of David and Hannah Powell.

~the photos & notes were contributed by Gayle Little. Gayle's email address can be found under Shellhammer in the surname registry.

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