Jacob Martin Powell (1841-1910)

After nearly a year of failing health, Jacob Martin Powell passed to his eternal reward, Saturday evening, February 26, 1910 at ten minutes of six o'clock at his home on Division St., Polo. Mr. Powell began failing last spring and grew gradually worse and in spite of the best medical attendance and the tenderest and most careful nursing, he was called from his loved ones at the time stated above.

His death was due to anemia and his age was 68 years, 10 months, and 26 days.

Jacob Martin Powell was born at Clear Spring, Md., April 1, 1841 and was the son of Upton and Anna Smith Powell. He was of a family of eight children, three of whom preceded him in death.

His parents were early settlers in Illinois coming west and settling at Pine Creek, Ogle County, May 2, 1854. The trip from the east was made overland in wagons and the hardships and trials common to the child of the pioneer settler were known by Mr. Powell, however he was more fortunate than many of the children of that day for he received a good education attending the Mt. Morris Seminary and graduating from that instituation in the early sixties. In 1863 he began teaching at the Brick School, now known as the Columbia School and held that position for four years. In the year 1868 he returned to the state of his birth for his bride and on March 19 of that year he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Catherine Cosley at Clear Spring, Md. He brought his wife to Illinois and they settled at Woosung where he conducted a general store for a time.

They moved to Polo and for a year he was in the produce business, later clerking for Brubaker & Finfrock, Finfrock & Baker, and David L. Miller. For a number of years he traveled for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as Assistant Emigrant Passenger Agent and for several years at different times he was engaged in the restaurant business in Polo. For the past three years, until the time of his death, he was interested in the lightning rod business. He had also become the owner of considerable property, the supervision of which occupied a part of his time.

Mr. Powell is survived by his wife, and three children, Charles Upton Powell, Lela May Wolf of Polo, and Martin Luther Powell of Chicago; one grandson, little Melvin Powell having passed away a few years ago. Three brothers and one sister, Samuel W; John A.; Mrs. John Davis; and William U. Powell, all of this vicinity mourn his death.

Mr. Powell had been a member of the Lutheran church of Polo for many years and was never absent from services when it was possible for him to be there. The last time he was able to attend church was at the January communion service. He was a good husband and father, his wife and children being his first consideration. He was a man of business ability and by his industry he was able to place his family in more than comfortable circumstances. As a resident of Polo and a business man here for so many years, he was widely known and generally respected. He died happy in his Christian faith and the end was peaceful and sweet surrounded by all the members of his family and his pastor. He leaves to his family the memory of a life of love and service for them.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Lutheran church, Rev. F. M. Keller conducting the service. Interment was in Fairmount Cemetery.

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