Was born in Berks County, Pa., May 1 st, 1781, and was named after his father and grandfather. Very little is known of his early history, except that he was brought up on a farm, and that from early boyhood he was put to hard work, such as clearing land, grubbing, chopping wood, splitting rails, and other work incident to a farmer's boy.
He did not relish that kind of work, but had a great inclination to become a mechanic. His father, however, was not willing to spare him from the farm; so he concluded to leave home and seek his own fortune in the wide world.
Before leaving, by the consent of his father, he and his brother Peter took a job of grubbing from one of the neighbors. After the job was completed he realized money enough to pay what he owed, and had fifty cents left. With this money in his pocket, a straw hat ou his head, and a linen shirt and a pair of pantaloons on his body, he left his father's house early in the morning:, and went to Schuylkill County, Pa., he being then but seventeen years of age.
It was not long until he found a place to learn the blacksmith trade, and made a contract to that eftect. His master frequently required him to do other work besides working in the shop, and one day ordered him to take the team and haul wood. Soon after he commenced hauling, a strange dog began following the team back and forth until some time in the afternoon, when he went to a pile of stones and commenced barking furiously. At first Mr. Powell paid no attention to the dog but as he continued to bark, he thought he would go and see what he was barking at. When he got there he found a fresh hole made under the pile of stones, so he concluded to see what was under them, and let the dog catch it. He went to work and removed all but one large flat stone, which laid directly over the hole. Being tired stooping so long, he got down on his knees to raise this one, when a large snake darted out and bit him on the elbow of his right arm, and disappeared under the ground. The dog also disappeared and he saw no more of either the dog or the snake. As soon as he was bitten, he went to a running brook and commenced to wash his arm and apply mud to the wound. He remained at the brook until a late hour in the evening, and then went to the house. But his arm continued to swell, and became very painful, so much so that it was thought he would lose his arm.
Providentially an old women came one evening to stay all night. She inquired the cause of Mr.Powell's sore arm, and was told that he had been bitten by a snake. She had with her some salve of her own making, which she thought would cure his arm. He immediately bought a box of her ointment for twenty-five cents, made an application, and soon found relief. The ointment extracted the poison from the wound, and the arm was healed. It remained stiff for some time, however and compelled him to abandon the blacksmith trade.
In relating this circumstance Mr. Powell always added that it looked to him as though a strange, mysterious providence was connected with it all. First, where did the strange dog come from ? and where did he go ? No such dog could be found in the entire neighborhood. Second, who was the old lady ? and where did she come from ? Her salve acted as a charm, and restored the arm when all other means failed.
This event in some respects changed his entire future course in life, and in some measure led to the foundation of his future usefulness and prosperity. He adandoned the idea of becoming a blacksmith, and learned the carpenter trade, in which he soon became an expert.
At the age of twenty-four he concluded to settle in life, and made choice of Miss Elizabeth Raudabaugh as a companion. They were married in April, 1805. He was very fortunate in his choice of a wife. She proved a very worthy companion and they lived a happy and agreeable life togetlier for almost forty-four years. They had fourteen children, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining twelve grew up to manhood and womanhood and eleven of them were married and have families.
In the spring of 1805, soon after his marriage, he and his wife, with Nicholas Raudabaugh and his family, moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and settled in the green woods, where he built a cabin and commenced to improve the land. He spent most of his time at the carpenter trade, while some of those for whom he did carpenter-work would in return work for him on his farm. He also put up a saw-mill, in which he worked when he had the water-power but when there was no water to run the mill, he worked at whatever his hands
found to do. He was very handy at all manner of wood-work, and could always find enough to do. In the course of time, however, he turned his entire attention to farming.
Early in life he was impressed with the importance of living a religious life. It is true, when he was first wrought upon by the Holy Spirit, and felt the conviction that he should lead a better life, he did not know what made him feel as he did. Often, when all alone, he was powerfully impressed with the belief that he ought to go on his knees in prayer. And he did sometimes kneel in prayer, though up to that time he had never heard any one say that we should do so, or that a change of heart was necessary. He often wondered why he had such peculiar feelings. Thus he continued on, year after year, frequently feeling the strivings of the Holy Spirit, but knew not what it was.
Sometime after his marriage he became much distressed in mind while meditating upon his spiritual condition. His appetite failed him, sleep departed from his eyes, and he had little or no inclination to work. It seemed that everything he looked upon was mourning. For two long, weary years he carried the load of a sin-sick soul, and really knew not what it was. He frequently asked the Lord in secret prayer to lead him in the right way and give him peace of mind but the more he prayed, and the more he read the Bible, the worse he felt. Such was the deep distress of his soul that he knew not what to do, and knew of no one who could direct him in the right way.
In the good providence of God a two-days' meeting was held in the neighborhood, by a new class of Christian ministers, belonging to the Church of the United Brethren in Christ; and Mr. Powell attended the first evening. Rev. Abraham Hiestand preached from these words: "I am come to send fire on the earth ; and what will I, if it be already kindled?" When he gave an illustration of the nature of literal fire, showing how, when it commenced to take hold upon the wood, it smoked, snapped, and sparkled before it would burn in a blaze, and then made the spiritual application of the fire of God's love which Christ came to kindle upon the altar of the human heart, he so clearly and forcibly illustrated the feelings and exercises of the heart of Mr. Powell that he was led to see and feel what had troubled his wounded heart for such a long and dreary time, and before the good man of God had finished his discourse, Mr, Powell felt the holy fire of God's love burning upon the altar of his heart. He gave vent to his feelings in shouting loud hallelujahs to God for the fullness of the saving power he now felt in his heart.
From that memorable evening on, for the space of two happy years, he had a constant stream of perfect love, flowing like a river. Not a cloud intervened between his soul and his God. His theme by day was the praises of God, and by night holy, visions in his dreams. He would often wake up during the night happy in the Lord.
After two years of happiness the tempter came, and he was very severely tried for the space of two years. Such was the deep conflict that he feared and trembled, lest he should be overcome by the enemy of his soul and fall a victim at last. One of the temptations Satan used was to tell him that he had lost all his religion. He did not tell him that he never had any, for his evidence was so clear that he had no doubt of his conversion. The question was whether he now had religion and to discourage him the tempter, sighted the great enjoyments he used to have, and then told him how he now felt, suggesting the idea of giving up the struggle, as he had entirely backslidden, and the Lord would never restore him again to his favor.
Another temptation was that all his classmates were against him, that they had no confidence in him, that they did not want to hear him pray any more, that he had better stay away from meeting, and be no longer in their way, that if he did go to church he would only hinder others from enjoying the services and doing good, that he could do his praying at home, where he was in the way of no one. And for some time he did absent himself from the house of God.
One beautiful Sunday morning he concluded to go to church but the tempter soon told bim that he had better stay at home, as he would only be in the way of others. Still, something kept whispering in his mind that he had better go to meeting, so he made ready and started. But he had gone only a short distance when the tempter assailed him in such a powerful way that he concluded to return home again, and he did go back to near the house he started from. He started the second time, and went some distance beyond where he had gone the first time, when he was again assailed by the adversary of his soul and driven back. But while returning homeward it appeared to him that he was walking between two disputants — one telling him to goto meeting, and the other saying, "No, I will not let you go." He stopped in the road to think, and finally made up his mind to go to meeting. Let the consequences be as they may, and let the people say what they will, as for himself, he was determined to worship God. Accordingly he started the third time, and with quick
step continued on until he got there.
When he arrived at the church, to his great surprise many of the members came to him with friendly faces, reached out their hands in a very pleasant and Christian manner, and expressed such real joy at seeing him that it made him feel glad that he had come.
Prayer-meeting soon commenced, and Brother Powell was the first one called upon to pray. He concluded that he had given way long enough to the tempter, and would no longer listen to his suggestions. He at once commenced to pray and give vent to his feelings, and the Lord blessed him so powerfully with the joy of his salvation that from that blessed Sabbath-day until his death he was never so severely tempted.
Often in relating his Christian experience he would say that it required a severe struggle to obtain his second blessing than his first conversion. But he thanked God that it taught him a lesson which ever afterward was useful to him in the hour of temptation, namely, to pay no heed to the tempter, as he was a liar from the beginning.
Mr. Powell remained faithful until death. He was a good Bible student, and spent much of his time in reading the sacred Scriptures. He was a good theologian, well versed in the Scriptures, and few men in the laity were his equals. There were few controverted points in Christian theology for which he was not prepared to furnish the proof-texts, and give a clear and correct view of the scripture bearing on those doctrinal points. He was, perhaps, one of the best expounders of the Book of Revelation in his day.
He was chosen class-leader of the society to which he belonged, according to the custom of that day, which was determined by lot, as follows: On the day of election, the minister would place in a row on the table as many books as there were male members of the society. He then wrote the word class-leader on a slip of paper and put it in one of the books, and none of the members knew in which one it was. Then all united in prayer that the one whom God chose should get the book containing the slip. After prayer, one after another were required to come forward and select a book and the one who got the book containing the paper was declared class-leader. Mr.Powell, being naturally of a reserved turn of mind, and feeling himself too unworthy to become a leader, declined to take part. All the rest of the members selected a book, and only one remained on the table. When an examination was made for the paper, behold, it was in the book which had not been taken, and as Mr. Powell was the only one who had not selected a book, it was unanimously agreed that he was the one whom God designed should lead the class. This office he frequently afterward filled with honor to himself and the good of society.
He was also a good historian. Although his education was limited, yet he had such a clear mind and retentive memory that when he heard or read of a place he could readily afterward give a correct statement of the same, as though he had actually been there and seen it with his own eyes. While in conversation with persons coming from the old country, he was frequently asked how long since he came from there.
He was regarded as a good man and a kind neighbor, ever willing to accommodate as far as was in his power. He was a kind husband and an affectionate father, and had such a pleasant way of governing his children that all willingly and cheerfully obeyed him, and had a special reverence for him.
He and his wife, soon after their conversion, under the pastoral labors of Rev. George Benadum, joined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. They opened their house for preaching and as a home to the tinerant minister of the gospel. Mr. Powell built a new house, in which he made a large room expressly for religious services, and it might have been truthfully said in that day, "The chuch in Powell house."
Mother Elizabeth Powell was truly a good woman. She was always kind to her children, and took special care of their morals, guarding them against every appearance of evil. They all owe a debt of gratitude to their sainted mother for the kind parental love she manifested toward them.
She was of medium stature, well proportioned, and healthy. She endured the toils and labors of life with great pleasure. It was her special delight to labor for the comfort of the sick and afflicted, and aid the poor. She was of a family who were noted for good health and long life. Her father, Nicholas Raudabaugh, who was an
exhorter in the United Brethren Church, lived to the age of 101. Her mother, whose maiden name was Varner, died in her eighty-second year.
She had two brothers, namely, John and John Nicholas Raudabaugh. The former died in his sixty-fifth year, and was the father of eight children. The latter, I believe, lived until he was eighty-eight years old, and was the father of ten children. She had also four sisters, namely, Catherine, Susannah, Mary Margaret, and Sarah Baudabaugh. Catherine married Peter Berkhiser, and lived in Berks County, Pa. Both are dead. Susannah married Adam Cloar, and lived in Pickaway County, Ohio. Both lived some eighty odd years. They had thirteen children. Mary Margaret married Ex-bishop Samuel Hiestand, and was the mother of eleven children. Both parents are dead. She died at the age of 67 years, 5 months, and 21 days. Sarah married John Kemerer, and was the mother of six children. She is the only one of Nicholas Kaudabaugh's family still living, and is now in her eighty -fifth year. She is well and healthy for a woman of her age.
There is another fact in the history of Philip Powell which is worthy the imitation of their descendants. Soon after their marriage he and his wife covenanted together never to quarrel. If either imagined they saw a wrong in the other, they would first speak of it in kindness ; and the one against whom the charge was made was not to say a word at the time, whether guilty or innocent, but wait until some future time. Then when an explanation was made, the other was to listen quietly. That generally ended all difliculties. They were never known to quarrel among themselves, but always extended the cloak of charity.
In John Philip Powell's family Bible is found the following record :
Sallie Powell was born January 17th, 1806 ; was baptized April 20th, 1807; was married to Henry Ghaster September 20th, 1825; died January 9th, 1831. She was the mother of three children; namely, Eliza, born August 25th, 1826; Solomon, born December 31st, 1827; Sarah, born October 11th, 1829.
Samuel Powell was born October 8th, 1807, and was baptized December 25th, 1807.
Jacob Powell was born April 1st, 1809, and was baptized January 11th, 1810.
The three children above named were baptized by Rev. Mr. Kemp, a minister of the German Reformed Church.
Henry Powell was born March 1st, 1811; was baptized May ll th, 1811 ; died March 29th 1835, at 6:00 p. m., in Millersburg Kentucky, at the residence of Charles Dolbot.
William Powell was born April 4th, 1813, and was baptized.
Daniel Powell was born May 19th, 1815; was baptized July 30th, 1815.
Elizabeth Powell was born May 19th, 1817, and was baptized.
John Powell was born April 2d, 1819, and was baptized.
Philip Powell was born April 2l8t, 1823, and was baptized.
Polly Powell was born March 18th, 1825; was baptized June 26th, 1825.
Tena Powell was born April 25th, 1827; was baptized July 25th, 1827.
Jonas Powell was born May 9 th, 1830 ; was baptized August 30th, 1830.
The nine children last mentioned were all baptized by Rev. George Benadura, a minister in the United Brethren Church. All of the above family record is in the hand-writing of John Philip Powell. I also found the following record in the same Bible, in the hand-writing of his two youngest sons:
John Philip Powell was born May 1st, 1781, and died April 5th, 1849, at one o'clock a. m., aged 67 years, 11 months, and 5 days. He was buried April 6th, when two funeral sermons were preached — one in German and one in English. The former was preached from Phil. i. 21, and the latter from Hebrews vii. 25.
Elizabeth Powell, consort of John Philip Powell, was born October 17th, 1787, and died October 22 d, 1862, at one o'clock a. m., aged 75 years and 5 days. Her disease was palsy and bilious fever.
One of the peculiarities of Philip Powell's family was that the father was no singer, and could not sing a hymn alone correctly, while the mother was a beautiful singer, and could lead in singing. Six of their children have no talent for singing, while the remaining six are good singers.
November 20, 1879.
From
Authentic Genealogical Memorial History of Philip Powell, of Mifflin County, Pa. Volume 1. 1880
By Rev John G Powell (1819-1886)
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