William Powell

William Powell was born in 1839 in Canada, possibly the son of Edward (b. 1820) and Hannah (b. 1822).

Canadian-born Edward and Hannah were probably married in Canada sometime before 1841 and resided in Canada for some years. The family immigrated to the United States sometime between 1848 and 1850 when they were living in Ada, Kent County, Michigan where William attended school. By 1860 William was working as a farm laborer and living with his family in Ada.

William was 22 years old and still living in Kent County when he enlisted in Company K on May 13, 1861. He was reported sick in the Regimental hospital from November through December of 1861, but eventually returned to duty and was orderly for Major Byron Pierce from May through June of 1862. William allegedly deserted on August 22 or 23, 1862, at Alexandria, Virginia.

There is no further record, and no pension seems to be available.

William may have been the same Canadian-born William B. Powell who married Canadian-born Almenah or Almina Fowler on February 4, 1865 in Ada; they had at least one child: Rena S. (b. 1868). By 1870 William B. was proprietor of a saw mill (he owned some $3000 worth of real estate) and living with his wife and daughter in Cedar Springs, Spencer, Kent County; by 1880 he was working as a farmer and living with his wife, daughter and ten-year-old niece Eva Powell in Ada.