Franklin

POWELL, Edward Henry

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 307-309

Colonel Edward Henry POWELL, a lawyer and banker who has rendered valuable 
service to the state, a veteran of the Civil War, and a prominent citizen of 
Burlington [Chittenden County], Vermont, is a descendant of an honored New 
England ancestry. Roland POWELL, great grandfather of E. Henry POWELL, was 
born in Connecticut, whence he removed and became one of the pioneer settlers 
of the town of Richford, Franklin County, Vermont, where he engaged in 
agricultural pursuits for the remainder of his life.

Bradford POWELL, grandfather of E. Henry POWELL, was born in Richford, 
Franklin County, Vermont, was reared upon a farm, and after completing his 
studies devoted his attention to farming. He occupied a very prominent 
position in the town, being regarded as a man of strong character, excellent 
business ability, and sterling integrity, and for a number of years he was 
the incumbent of a responsible office in the custom house at Richford, 
[Franklin County, Vermont]. He [Bradford POWELL] married Clarissa GOFF, a 
daughter of Hezekiah GOFF, of Deerfield [Franklin County], Massachusetts, 
where her birth occurred. Mr. GOFF came to Richford as a pioneer, having 
served three enlistments during the Revolutionary War. He [Hezekiah GOFF] 
died in 1846 in Richford [Franklin County, Vermont], at the age of 
ninety-seven years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Bradford POWELL: Jay, Emily, Seraphine, Diana, Marcia, Herman, Harry, 
Bradford, and Delight, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. [Bradford] POWELL 
died at the age of forty years, survived by his wife, who died in the 
eighty-first year of her age.

Herman POWELL, father of E. Henry POWELL, was born in Richford, Franklin 
County, Vermont, was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, and 
subsequently followed farming on the old homestead for a number of years. He 
then purchased a farm in Fairfield [Franklin County], Vermont, which 
consisted of about two hundred acres, in the cultivation of which he attained 
fair success. He took a keen interest in all matters of pubic concern, and 
although not an active politician or desirous of office, he from time to time 
served as selectman and lister. Mr. [Herman] POWELL married Julia S. WHITE, 
born in Sheldon [Franklin County], Vermont, a daughter of Deacon Joel WHITE, 
who was a prosperous farmer of that town. Mr. [Joel] WHITE married a Miss 
NOBLE, and they reared a family of four children: Noble, Calvin, John, and 
Julia WHITE; the mother of these children died in early womanhood. Five 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. POWELL [Herman and Julia S. (WHITE) 
POWELL], all of whom are living at the present time [1903]: (1) E. Henry 
[Edward Henry]; (2) Charles A., engaged in the hardware and furniture 
business in Richford, Vermont; (3) Emily A., a resident of Milton 
[Chittenden County], Vermont; (4) Homer E., a citizen of Milton, Vermont; 
and (5) Ella, wife of R. C. DARLING, of Milton, Vermont. The mother of 
these children [Julia S. (WHITE) POWELL] died in the seventieth year of her 
age. Both Mr. and Mrs. POWELL were actively associated with the Baptist 
church of Richford and North Fairfax [both in Franklin County, Vermont], Mr. 
[Herman] POWELL acting in the capacity of deacon for many years. He [Herman 
POWELL] died when he had attained the age of seventy-six years.

F. Henry POWELL was born 03 September 1839 in Richford, Franklin County, 
Vermont, and until he reached the age of sixteen years he attended the common 
schools of that town. He then entered the Potsdam Academy, where he remained 
one term, and a year later became a student in the New Hampshire Institute at 
Fairfax. He taught school for nine terms during these years. In 1860 he 
entered the University of Vermont, where he remained until the following 
year, when the war broke out and he enlisted as a private on 17 July 1862; 
promoted to first sergeant before leaving the state and at the expiration of 
a little more than one year of service was ordered before General CASEY's 
examining board for promotion in colored troops. Owing to the creditable 
examination he passed, he received a commission as lieutenant colonel dated 
27 November 1863, and was assigned to the Tenth United States. (Colored) 
Troops, which regiment he commanded during much of the time until nearly 
fifteen months after the close of the war. From December 1865 the regiment 
was one of four comprising a brigade, and Colonel POWELL acted as commander, 
owing to his seniority of rank. The command was a "Separate Brigade and the 
Eastern District of Texas." After his discharge as lieutenant colonel from 
the service of the United States he returned to Richford, Vermont, having 
studied law while in service and been admitted to the bar in Texas. In 1866 
he established a general practice in his native town, where he continued 
until June 1892, and in his professional effort he has enjoyed the respect 
and esteem of his colleagues at the bar and the confidence of his clients. 
In 1874 the Richford Savings & Trust Company was organized with Colonel 
POWELL as president, and he is still serving in the same capacity.

In 1892 Colonel [F. Henry] POWELL removed to Burlington [Chittenden County], 
Vermont, in order to accept the position of treasurer of the University of 
Vermont and State Agricultural College, which he still retains. The same 
year he was elected one of the directors of the Burlington Trust Company and 
is sill serving in that office. Republican; served as inspector of customs 
from 1866 to 1869; was state's attorney from 1872 to 1874; representative 
from 1874 to 1876; state senator from 1878 to 1880; was chosen state auditor 
in 1878 and re-elected continuously for fourteen years, the longest period, 
with one exception, in the history of the state. Member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic; of the Loyal Legion; and Sons of the American Revolution.

On 30 November 1864 Colonel [F. Henry] POWELL married [Miss] Ellen G. ROWELL, 
oldest daughter of Adoniram Judson ROWELL, a merchant and prominent business 
man at North Troy [Orleans County], Vermont, who served as captain and 
commissary of subsistence in the army. Mr. [Adoniram Judson] ROWELL married 
[Miss?] Lucy A. RICHARDSON, who was born at Concord [Merrimack County], New 
Hampshire, and the following children were born to them: (1) Ellen G. [who 
became the wife of F. Henry POWELL]; (2) William R., who was a lawyer and 
died at Methuen [Essex County], Massachusetts; (3) Dr. George B., of Barton 
Landing [Orleans County], Vermont [Barton Landing renamed Orleans in 1909]; 
(4) Charles J., of Denver, Colorado; (5) Miss Ardell, of Barton Landing, 
Vermont; and (6) Mrs. L. R. BEAN, of Newport [Orleans County], Vermont. Mr. 
[Adoniram Judson] ROWELL died at the age of forty-five years.

Two children were born of the marriage of Colonel and Mrs. POWELL [F. Henry 
and Ellen G. (ROWELL) POWELL]: (1) Blanche P., wife of William A. SPRING, 
of Dresden, Germany, a prominent American dentist; and (2) Max L., who is a 
graduate of the University of Vermont and now associated with his father in 
the law and insurance business. The latter [Max L. POWELL] has taken quite 
an active part in political affairs, having held the office of deputy auditor 
of accounts, assistant clerk of the house of representatives, secretary of 
the state senate, and a member of the school board. Mrs. [F. Henry] POWELL 
[Ellen G. (ROWELL) POWELL] died at the age of thirty-four years. 

On 01 October 1877 Colonel [F. Henry] POWELL married [his second wife] Mrs. 
Georgiana (REED) BAILEY, of Montpelier [Washington County], Vermont. She was 
the youngest daughter of Thomas REED and Mary BOWLEND, and widow of George W. 
BAILEY, Jr., secretary of state at the time of his death. Her father [Thomas 
REED] was a prominent lawyer and banker, whose death occurred at Montpelier, 
Vermont, at the age of seventy-five years. His [Thomas REED's] wife, Mary, 
who was born in Massachusetts and died at the age of seventy-nine years, was 
the mother of six children: (1) George B. REED, of Cambridge [Middlesex 
County], Massachusetts; (2) William [REED], who died in Milwaukee [Milwaukee 
County, Wisconsin]; (3) Edward D. [REED], who died in Buffalo [Erie County, 
New York]; (4) Charles A. [REED], of Chicago [Cook County, Illinois]; (4) 
Josephine R. POLAND, of Montpelier Vermont [submitter has assumed that POLAND 
is a surname]; and (5) Mrs. [F. Henry] POWELL [Mary nee REED].

Two children were born of this second marriage [F. Henry and Georgiana 
POWELL]: (1) Thomas Reed [POWELL], a graduate of the University of Vermont, 
now in Harvard Law School; and (2) Gertrude Reed [POWELL], a student in 
Smith College.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly