Volney Powers

VOLNEY POWERS. — Still residing on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, a part of which he bought forty-eight years ago when the land was covered with heavy timber and wholly unimproved, Volney Powers, of Quaker ancestry, is today recognized as one of the most successful and progressive farmers of Northwest township. He is the grandson of Josiah and Hannah Powers, the former a pioneer settler of Ontario county, N. Y., where he died, and the latter a native of New York, who removed to Steuben county, Ind., where she ended her days. His parents were Stephen and Mary Ann ( Campbell) Powers, both natives of New York, the former born in Onta**io county and the latter in Allegheny county. Stephen Powers grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools. In 1837 lie removed from New York State to Indiana, locating on a tract of eighty acres of timbered land in Steuben county. This land he partly cleared and improved, and then sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres in the same township, which he partly improved, and then selling this farm he purchased a larger tract of land in Clear Lake township, on which he was residing when the Civjl war broke out. During that great conflict he served with credit as a private in Company A of the Forty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry. In addition to farming he was quite active and very successful as a surveyor in Steuben county, and taught school during the winter for about fifty years. In politics he was a Democrat, holding for some time the position of surveyor of Steuben county. Later he removed to Antrim county, Mich., where he died on October 5, 1872, survived by his widow until February 7, 1883. Volney Powers was born in Steuben county, Ind., on March 17, 1838. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. This training was supplemented by the instruction that he received from his father. At the age of eighteen years he began to teach, following that occupation for seven terms. In 1858 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Northwest township, to which during the Civil war period he added a like number of acres, making a total of one hundred and sixty acres in the farm. In answer to his country’s call for defenders, he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan volunteer infantry, in which he served over two years, and then he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the First Michigan colored troops. Later he was promoted to first lieutenant and held that position until the close of the war. His command took part in the battle of Honey Hill, S. C., and in a number of skirmishes. In a skirmish at Swift Creek, S. C., he was wounded in the left hand. The fact that he was twice promoted, the first time from the ranks, proves that he was a brave soldier. In public affairs he has always taken a deep interest, havingserved as township clerk, justice of the peace and notary public. He is a Republican and with his wife a member of the Presbyterian cliurcn. On April 18, 1866, he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie Kimmell, born in Richland county, O., July 27, 1848. She is the daughter of Adam and Eliza (Culbertson) Kimmell of Northwest township. Eight children have been born to these parents, all of whom arc living. They are: Ellen, now Mrs. Emery Bunce; Viola, the wife of Lee E. Amidon, principal of the Iron Mountain, Mich., public schools; Oliver, a resident of Lawton, O. T.; Jennie, the wife of Henry Sines of Northwest township; Stephen A., of Northwest township; Vada, the wife of John Redfield, superintendent of schools at Willshire, O.; Clyde V., a graduate of Berkley high school, California, and now a student of Michigan University; and Mary, still at home.

As printed in The county of Williams : a history of Williams County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapters on various subjects, including each of the different townships ; also a biographical departme (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.