Goodspeed’s Biography of Dr. James Buchanan Powell
Source: Goodspeed’s History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman, and Lewis Counties Tennessee, published 1886
J. B. Powell, M. D., was born June 12, 1857, in Lawrence County, Tenn. His parents, Andrew and Malinda (Welch) Powell were born in Marshall and Lawrence Counties, Tenn., in 1830 and 1836, respectively. Both are living and are residents of Lawrence County. Dr. Powell was reared in his native county, and received good early education advantages. He attended Jackson Academy at Lawrenceburg about two years, and at the age of twenty-one began studying medicine under Dr. James Kyle, of Florence, Ala., and graduated as an M. D. from the Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tenn., in 1879. He immediately located at Wayland Springs, where he remained until April, 1886, when he came to St. Joseph and was appointed United States examining surgeon. In connection with his practice he keeps a drug and general merchandise store at St. Joseph, and is the owner of about 2,300 acres of unimproved mineral lands. Nannie E. Reynolds became his wife December 5, 1880, and the mother of his two children: Lillian E., born February 14, 1882, and George, born July 29, 1884. Mrs. Powell’s parents are Hugh R. and Mary A. (Carter) Reynolds. Dr. Powell gives his support to the Democratic party and is one of the directors of the Shoal Creek Iron Company, organized February 24, 1886. The mines are in Lawrence County, near St. Joseph, and the ore, analyzed, has been found to be brown hematite, yielding over 56 per cent of metallic iron. The mines are being operated under the management of Col. Thomas Sharp, of Nashville, who is president of the company.
FamilySearch Tree profile: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHL2-CPS
This biographical sketch was transcribed by Reita Jones Burress and posted on-line by Jane N. Powell on September 10, 1998, with the following caveat:
Not having a hard copy to proof read, errors will probably occur in the following document. Reita and I will correct them to the original Goodspeed from time to time. Thank you for your patience.
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