Richard Powell

As printed in 1910

RICHARD W. POWELL.

Washington township, Lafayette county, has been the arena in which Richard W. Powell has battle with the problems and obstacles of life that to a greater or less degree confront every man in his career, and that he has been successful will be shown by only so much as a cursory glance at his splendidly kept landed estate, in which he takes a just pride and which lies in one of the best farming districts of the community. While he has labored for his own advancement, he has discharged his every duty of citizenship with the earnestness and loyalty characteristic of the true American. He comes of one of the oldest and best families of this state and of Tennessee. He was born October 18, 1859, in Washington township, Lafayette county, Missouri, the son of Thomas J. Powell and wife. The paternal grandfather, Richard Powell, was a native of Tennessee, from which state he came to Lexington township, this county, as early as 1820, locating his permanent home in Washington township in 1822 on land which he secured from the government and here he developed a good farm and had a comfortable home. His death occurred in 1840. His son, Thomas J., was a well-known citizen here also, and he improved the place where Richard W. Powell of this review now resides. He was a very successful farmer and owned at one time about six hundred acres of land.

Richard W. Powell was reared on the home farm and early became acquainted with hard work in the fields and he has always devoted his attention to farming. He received a fairly good education in the neighboring schools. He is the owner of one of the choice farms of this part of the county, which consists of three hundred and ten acres. His place is well improved and well kept and he carries on general farming and stock raising successfully. No small part of his annual income is derived from the sale of livestock, which he buys, feeds and sells, as his better judgment dictates.

Mr. Powell was married to Belle Gautier on April 8, 1891. She is the daughter of Robert W. and Emily J. (Gaston) Gautier. The father is deceased and the mother makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Powell Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, namely: Thomas J., Robert G., Edwin and Maiy E. are all members of the home circle.

Mr. Powell is a member of the Baptist church, while Mrs. Powell holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church South. Politically, he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Odessa, Missouri, and has been master of this lodge. He and his family are held in high regard by all who know them.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.