In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910)
WALTER S. POWELL.
Of late years the banking industry has received a wonderful impetus. Banks have been organized in many of the smaller towns and cities and the number of banks in the larger cities is constantly increasing. The increasing business of the country of course accounts for a proportionate increase of banks, but in truth there is now a wider field for the banks than formerly, and the present prosperity of the farmers opens up a field which the banks formerly did not much exploit. Not long ago the banks loaned more money to farmers than they received on deposit from them, now the farmers are not only heavy depositors in banks, but heavy stockholders as well, and the tide is turning to the loaning of the farmer's money to the city business man. The Citizens Bank of Odessa has not been long established, but is in a very flourishing condition, and its worthy and efficient cashier has done much to contribute to its success.
Walter S. Powell was born in Washington township, this county, March 25, 1880, son of Thomas J. and Dorinda Powell, for whose history see sketch of Joseph P. Powell. He grew up on the farm, attended the public schools and Odessa College, and took a business course at Chillicothe, Missouri, After leaving school he entered the Farmers Bank of Odessa, in January, 1902, as bookkeeper, and held that position about four years, then was made assistant cashier and remained as such until November, 1909. On the organization of the Citizens Bank he was elected cashier and is now occupying that position, for which he is well fitted by training and temperament.
Mr. Powell was married at Odessa, October 16, 1906, to Josephine E. Lewis, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, June 29, 1876, a daughter of John A. and Josephine (Crutsinger) Lewis. Her father was a native of Virginia and her mother of Missouri.
Mr. Powell has been a member of the Baptist church since he was seventeen years old and is one of its faithful workers. He is a member of Mount Hope Masonic Lodge, No. 476, and has been master of the lodge. No man of his age in Odessa has more friends, better standing or more brilliant prospects than has he.
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.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.