William Henry Powell

Company I, 117th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

POWELL, William Henry, b. 11 May 1844, St. Clair County, IL to Constant Powell (1806-1866) and Mary Lyons, d. 21 Aug 1883. Enlisted 12 Aug 1862 for three years, Co. I, 117th Illinois Infantry, "Cpt McFarland's Co." reg't referred to a "McKendree Reg't" as so many officers were from the McKendree College, mustered out 5 Aug 1865, Camp Butler or Springfield. 18 June 1863, detailed to guard prisoners at Alton, IL. Jan/Feb 1864, detailed as 'division teamster'. 4 Apr 1965 "Detailed as teamster in Ord. train by SO No. 59, no. 2, 2 Div, 16 AC". Apparently a teamster by trade, family hauled supplies to build the railroad that went through O'Fallon, IL
 
Married Mary Ellen Dale, 10 Oct 1867, St. Clair Co., IL d/o Lewis Lunsford Dale and Frances Boston, formerly of Hancock Co., d. 15 May 1933, Madison Co., IL. Received CW widow's pension #300483 on William's service. (According to family 'legend', Boston relatives may have been involved in murder of Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader.)
 
Children:
-Elizabeth "Lizzie" Powell b. 8 Jun 1868, IL d. 24 Dec 1941, Madison Co., IL, never married, reported to have been a Red Cross nurse in France during WWI, but not confirmed.
-William Constant Powell, b. 24 Aug 1870, O'Fallon, SCC, IL, d. 12 Feb 1945, Phoenix, AZ, married Gertrude Marguerite Fix 1 Mar 1891.
-Ross Powell b. 8 Feb 1875, IL, died young.
-Ora Powell, b. 14 Sep 1877, O'Fallon, SCC, IL, d. 7 Dec 1910, married second to John McTeer, 28 Jul 1900. John's father was Andrew Jackson McTeer, a private in the 144th Illinois Infantry who apparently spent his service guarding prisoners at Alton.
-George Thomas Powell, 21 Jan 1879, O'Fallon, SCC, IL, d. 13 Jul 1954, Collinsville, Madison Co., IL, deaf, never married.Supposed attended a 'deaf' school in Jackson as well as Washington, DC.

 

Submitted by H. Michael McTeer

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