Dr. Powell is a native of Illinois. He was born at Circleville, Tazewell County, of that State, August 7, 1838. His father, Dr. John E. Powell, was a native of London, England, and was born August 27, 1800. Pursuing an elementary and general education in the schools of his native city up to thirteen years of age, he then entered upon a course of study in the London Hospital. There he served as it was termed and apprenticeship of seven years, and after graduating, accepted a position as one of the surgeons of the institute. This relation he maintained up to the spring of 1833, when he emigrated to the United States. Landing upon American shores, he took up his residence at Utica, N.Y., and there renewed the practice of medicine.

Subsequent to fixing his residence at Utica, he formed the acquaintance of Mary Harding, and estimable lady of English birth, and, December 24, 1833, received her hand in marriage. Continuing here until 1836, he then removed to Tazewell County, Ill., locating upon the site since occupied by the city of Pekin. Remaining here as a pioneer physician until 1861, he again removed with his family to Camden, of this county, where, until about 1869, he pursued the practice of his profession. At that period, he returned to the State of Illinois, situating himself at Henry, Marshell County, where he has since resided.

Dr. John W., the subject of our sketch, during the years of his boyhood, enjoyed common-school advantages, and , arriving at the age of eighteen, commenced to read medicine and to clerk in a drug store at Metainora, Ill. Moving to Camden with his father in 1861, he still pursued the study of medicine, and at the same time commenced to practice. Graduating at Rush Medical College in 1865, he returned to Camden, associated with his father until December, 1867, then withdrawing, he established himself, on the 29^th of the same month, at Rockfield, where he has since enjoyed and extended and successful patronage.

In the meantime, he has availed himself of a coarse of lectures at the Louisville Medical College of Louisville, Ky., from which he graduated with the "Honorary Degree" Feb. 25, 1881.

Besides feeling an interest, too, in his own success, he extends his interest to the general good of the profession. He is an active member of he Carroll County Medical Society, and has been a member of the State Medical Society since 1866. But to verify more effectually the professional merit and characteristics of Dr. Powell, we extract from a communication by Dr. E. Huntsinger, of February 12, 1879, after his removal to Chicago, and holding then the Chair of Aural Surgery in the Chicago College of Ophthalmology and Otology. It says: "I have been intimately acquainted with J. W. Powell, M.D., of Rockfield, Ind., for the past nineteen years. He is a regular graduate of one of the best medical colleges in the United States. By his studious and close application to his profession, together with fourteen years experience in an extensive practice he has acquired a degree of success and skill that places him in the front rank of his profession. He is particularly scrupulous and painstaking in the examination of his patients and strictly conscientious and candid in his opinion. By means of new methods, remedies and appliances, he is especially successful in the treatment of the eye and ear affections. I can commend Dr. Powell with much confidence to any community," etc.

By way of self-maintenance, also, Dr. Powell has had his own canoe to paddle, and has proven himself no less successful as a man of Business than he has professionally. He now has a pleasant home at Rockfield and owns two farms near said village, to both of which he gives his special management.

In his profession relations at Rockfield, he has had three successive associates, viz.: E. Huntsinger, M.D., who joined him in the spring of 1878. This copartnership, however, was mutually dissolved in February, 1879, Dr. H. having been called to an important position at Chicago.

In February, 1880, he next formed a copartnership with Dr. C. D. Parkes, who had been his student since the fall of 1878. Dissolving then connection the following September, 1880, in October, only a few weeks later, he accepted J. W. Newell, M.D. as his present partner. This professional union has indeed been an agreeable one, Dr. Newell being both an amiable and a promising young physician. He is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, and, upon graduation, was awarded third honors of his class for general proficiency.

Dr. Powell has been twice married. His first companion was Miss Libbie A. Mahune, of Battle Ground, Ind., to whom he was wedded October 3, 1865. She being sadly called to depart this life May 25, 1877, he chose as a second help mate Miss Sarah E. Roop, of Carroll County, and to her was wedded December 18, 1878. Two children have been born the welcome fruits of each marriage, viz., Vinnie M. and Guy C., of the former, and Clarence D. and Libbie F. of the last or present: all of them are yet living.

For five years past, the Doctor has been an active member in the Masonic fraternity. He is zealous in politics, his sympathy and influence being always given tot he side of Democracy. Faithful in his profession, prompt and reliable in his business relations, genial in social life and affectionate in the home circle, he has an extended acquaintance and is universally esteemed.

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net