Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas W. & Oscar P. Powell

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Thomas W. and Oscar P. Powell are the sons of Dr. Henry and Mary Anna 
(Phagan) Powell, and the grandsons of Henry and Elizabeth (Davis) 
Powell, both of whom are natives of Virginia. The grandfather, after 
marriage, moved to Tennessee, where he reared his family. He was a 
tinner and farmer by occupation, and died in Washington County, Tenn. 
The grandmother died in Greene County, of the same State. Dr. Powell 
grew to manhood in Washington County, Tenn., and October 25, 1831, he 
married Miss Mary A. Phagan. After living in that county two years 
after his marriage he then moved to Jefferson County, and after five 
years moved from there to Norwood's Prairie, Benton County, where he 
lived for forty-three years. He died February 17, 1867, having 
followed the occupation of a farmer and physician the principal part 
of his life. Mary A. (Phagan) Powell was born in Berks County. N. C., 
July 17, 1815, and is the daughter of John and Eleanor Phagan, natives 
of North Carolina, who moved to Benton County, Ark., at an early date, 
and here passed their last days. To Dr. Powell and wife were born 
thirteen children, nine of whom lived to be grown, seven married, and 
five are now living: Ann Eliza, died in infancy; Ellen E., died in 
infancy; James P., was killed in the war; John C., deceased; Mary C.; 
Thomas W.; Sarah E., wife of Frank A. Sanders; Henry R.; Samuel W.; 
Martha E. (deceased); Oscar P. and two infants deceased. Dr. Powell 
was a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a member of 
the same at the time of his death. He was a Master Mason, and a 
Democrat in politics. His surviving wife is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South. Their son, Thomas W. Powell, was born May 22, 
1845, near where he now lives in Benton County, Ark. April 14, 1872, 
he married Miss Susan Wright, daughter of Lewis Wright, and to them 
were born eight children: Samuel C. (deceased), infant (deceased), 
James D., Charles T., Bernard P., Mary L., Ellen A. and Anna. During 
the late war Thomas W. served two years in Capt. Brown's Company, 
Brooks' Regiment, Confederate army. He is Democrat in politics, is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the 
Christian Church. He is the owner of 153 acres of land, ninety-six in 
the bottom and sixty-five under cultivation. Oscar P. Powell, the 
youngest of the thirteen children born to Dr. and Mary A. (Phagan) 
Powell, is a native of Benton County, Ark., his birth occurring May 5, 
1858. He was reared on the farm where he now lives, and has resided 
there all his life. This farm consists of 177 acres, nearly all bottom 
land, and ninety acres under cultivation. Oscar P. was married in 1884 
to Miss Lee Chesney, daughter of Bird and Margaret Chesney. This union 
resulted in the birth of two children, Maggie Jay (deceased) and 
Myrtle. Mr. Powell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, and has always been a Democrat in his political views.