Edgar Alonzo Powell was born in DeKalb, Illinois, June 16, 1864. He died in Guthrie, Oklahoma, June 12, 1929, his age being 64 years, 11 months and 26 days.He was a son of David and Martha Ann Powell, the youngest of thirteen children.
At 17 years of age, he came to Kansas from Kings Point, Mo., where his parents were then residing. He became identified with the cowboy life of early Kansas days, and assisted his brother Will on his ranch near Mule Creek.
He was converted at a revival held in the Old Powell school house at the age of 23. And soon after that he felt that God was calling him to the ministry.
On October 18, 1888, he was united in marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Davison and to this union 9 children were born. Two, Oren aged 18 months and Lee aged 24 years have preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Floyd Powell and Mrs. Opal Smith of Alvin, Texas, Raymond and Harold of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Carol Ireland of Bay City, Texas, Mrs. Myrtle Heide and Mrs. Mary Downing of Wilmore, Kansas. Also one brother, W. H. Powell of El Campo, Texas, two sisters Mrs. Henry Baker and Mrs. Jessie Hubbard of Wilmore, seventeen grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Rev. Powell had not even the advantages of a high school education, but by persistent effort, while he was supporting his family, he fitted himself for his life's work. E. A. Powell was admitted to the Arkansas Valley conference in 1890, was ordained in 1893, located in 1909, and transferred to the California conference in 1918. He traveled the following charges - Beaumont, Wellington, Mound Ridge, Geuda Springs, Eatonville, Hackney, Maize, Pleasant Grove, New Eden, Wichita circuit and Hillside.
He moved with his family to Texas in 1920, and three years later affiliated with the Methodist church, entering of his death he was pastor at Hallsville, Texas. He had filled his pulpit and in his sermon he had expressed the wish to die in the harness.
Rev. Powell, with his wife and little granddaughter, was on his way to Kansas and he was driving his car when he was taken sick. His health had not been good for the last few months and he had expressed the wish to be buried at Wilmore where he had preached his first sermon, and where he had spent so much of his single and married life. As he expressed it, "On the Resurrection morn, I want to look first upon the hills and valleys around Wilmore."
He fell asleep in Jesus. He died in the triumphs of a living faith. He overcame by the blood of the cross.
LARGE CROWD ATTENDS FUNERAL OF REV. POWELL A large crowd, composed to a great extent of old settlers, attended the funeral services of the Reverend Ed Powell at the Wilmore Methodist church last Friday afternoon. Burial was at the Wilmore cemetery.
A male quartet from the Coldwater Methodist church sang. The odor of a mass of beautiful flowers filled the church during the services.
A funeral procession which stretched from Railroad avenue to the cemetery followed the funeral car to pay last respects to the Reverend Powell.
Relatives from other cities who attended the funeral were: Mrs. Ed Powell, Hallsville, Texas; Mrs. Harold Powell, Houston, Texas; Floyd Powell, Alvin, Texas; Raymond Powell, Texas; Mrs. Carol Powell and son, Jimmie, Texas; Mrs. Orphia Heck, Illinois.
The Western Star, September 30, 1921. LETTER FROM READERS.
From Rev. E. A. Powell.San Antonio, Texas
September 13, 1921
Mr. Butcher: Thinking a few lines from San Antonio might be of interest to Star readers, will write again. We arrived home all O. K. from Comanche-co., visiting a few days enroute in Harper-co., Kansas, and in Oklahoma. Had no accident or mishaps, with the exception of one rain and a few hours of very sticky mud. Had to stop once and clean mud from between the hind wheel and the fender, but after a few miles we hit the paved road and then in the language of the old Texan, we were "long gone." When we were within 75 miles of our home the differential of our "Henry" began to utter such groans of distress that we were constrained to stop and administer relief, which separated us from $15 and kept us one more night on the road.
Perhaps you have seen by the papers that San Antonio has had a flood. They say that the New York papers had it that San Antonio was wiped off the map. Far from that, but it was bad enough - something that no one ever thought could happen. Personally, we are high and dry. The only things of ours that got touched by the water were some papers in a bank vault down town, and they were sure "in soak." It has sure been a distressing time for hundreds who have been left homeless. Several of the business men down town have lost all. It is said that there was only one man who had flood insurance. But they are adopting a plan by which these men will be able to restock, so that no one will need to go into bankruptcy. The total loss will go away up into the millions. The city lost heavily on streets, bridges and parks. There are about 30 bridges in the city, and half of them were washed out. Forty-nine bodies have been recovered up to the present, and 14 are known to be missing. Three days of excessive rain and a cloudburst on one of the tributaries of the San Antonio river were the cause, as human eyes see it.
This river it is said winds a distance of 21 miles in a distance of 7 miles. It is ordinarily a very beautiful little stream, and San Antonio is very proud of it. So it is often in life, things in which we delight often prove our undoing.
In a part of the main section of the business district the water was from two to ten feet deep. The soldiers at Fort Sam Houston were a great help in rescuing the people and regulating the city, and the Red Cross in caring for the homeless. The ways of Divine Providence are past finding out. The county had been without rain for two months, then it all came in a pump - about 8 inches, with the cloudburst in addition. So came some of the strange and unexpected things in life.
Was very much pained this morning on receiving the Star to note the death of my old friend and neighbor, Loren Ferrin. The bereaved have our sincere sympathy. Every time I leave Comanche, I wonder, in case I am privileged to come back, who it is that I will not find. But one can never tell. It is only a question of time until we all shall have crossed to that other land.
The friend and well wisher of all in Comanche-co. Come and see me at 417 Raynesford-st., but don't all come at once.
E. A. POWELL.
Burial Records:
POWELL, Rev. Edgar A. : June 16, 1864 - June 12, 1929
Note: Husband of Sarah Elizabeth Davison. Reverend Edgar A. Powell, son of David and Martha Ann Powell, brother of Will Powell, Isaac N. Powell and Lew Powell. Father of William Lee Powell.
Comanche County History, p. 610
Lot #212, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.POWELL, Elizabeth: December 31, 1868 - January 17, 1950
Note: Wife of Rev. Edgar Powell. Born to Aaron and Susan Davison.
Comanche County History, p. 610
Lot #212, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.DOWNING, Mary P.: March 8, 1893 - May 5, 1933
Note: Wife of Marvin, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. E.A. Powell. Died of cancer.
Obituary: The Wilmore News, May 17, 1933.
Comanche County History, pp. 351, 610
Lot #212, Powell Township Cemetery, Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.
Also see:
"Early Day Memories" by Alice (Eyerly) Ferrin, The Wilmore News, October 31, 1939.
Report of the Wilmore Church of Christ, August 23, 1953.
Dedication of the Wilmore Christian Church, March 15, 1913
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article and obituary to this web site!
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