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Rev. Joab Powell


Joab Powell was born July 16, 1799 in Claiborne Co., Tennessee, the fourth child of Joseph and Hannah Jewson Powell. Joseph was of Welsh descent, and was known as "The Fighting Quaker." The original name was Ap'howell, but it quickly was shortened to Powell. Joab began to preach at age 24 and moved to a homestead near Independence, MO in 1830. He preached in Missouri for 20 years, and worked a 640 acre farm at the same time. In 1852 he came to Oregon and settled a claim at the Forks of the Santiam in Linn County, between what later became the Providence Baptist Church, and Crabtree Creek.

Although he could barely read and write, Joab was a powerful preacher and had a keen mind which enabled him to memorize most of the bible and hymns he sang. He was a powerful man, weighing nearly 300 pounds, and had a strong voice. He preached to all who would listen and was famous for riding the circuit throughout Linn County. Joab was one of the originators of the Providence Baptist Church, located midway between Scio and Lacomb. This congregation decided to form on April 9, 1853, and Rev. J. G. Berkley was appointed as minister. He served for four years, after which Joab Powell preached for the next five years. The first church was built during 1856-57, and a second building was completed in 1898. Services are still held in this church, and a monument to Joab and nineteen charter members of the congregation is visible at the entrance to the church and cemetery grounds.

He married when 19 to a German girl who spoke only a few words of English; Anna Beeler. Anna was born 17 May, 1797 in Grainger County, Tennessee, and died 31 May 1872 near Providence Church, Linn County. Joab died January 25, 1873.

Children of Joab and Ann:

  1. John, born 24 July 1818, Claiborne, TN, died 8 March, 1891 Prineville, Crook Co., OR. John married 18 March 1838 in Jackson, MO to Emily York, and had DLC #2383.
  2. Elias, born 23 February 1822, Claiborne, TN, died 21 January 1904 in Linn County. He married 22 January 1848 in Jackson, MO to Rebecca Hunt. Elias had DLC #2381.
  3. Peter, born 7 July 1823, Claiborne, TN, died 16 July 1910 in Berlin, Linn County. Peter married 18 October, 1844 in Jackson, MO to Nancy Cyrus, daughter of Enoch and Rebecca Cook Cyrus; had DLC #4400.
  4. Silas, born 26 March 1825, Claiborne, TN, died 6 September 1869, on trail near Gilroy, CA. Silas married 18 December 1845 in Jackson, MO, to Harriet Rice, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Lett) Rice. Silas had DLC 651.
  5. Daniel F., born 18 April 1826, Claiborne, TN, died 8 April 1907 in Prineville, Crook County, OR. Daniel married 1 November 1862 in Linn County, Mary Jane Cary, daughter of Armenius and Anna (James) Carey.
  6. Esther (Easter), born 12 February 1827, Claiborne, TN, died 14 September 1863 in Linn County. Esther married 11 January 1849, in Jackson, MO, Robert Moore (DLC 1441).
  7. Jonathon, born about 1828/29, Jackson, MO; died young in cholera epidemic.
  8. Mary, born 23 December 1830 Jackson, MO, died 10 may 1913 in Los Angeles, CA. Mary married 5 December 1852 in Linn County, to Stephen M. Davidson, DLC #2686.
  9. Ann, born 23 November 1832, Jackson, MO, died 26 November 1924 in Lane County, OR. Ann married 5 December 1852 in Linn County to Phillip Grinder Carmical, DLC #2086.
  10. Joab, Jr., born in April of 1834, Jackson, MO, died 24 October 1872, Linn County. Joab Jr. (DLC #3208) married 9 December 1858, Linn County, Rebecca Jane Prine, daughter of Barney Prine** of Prineville, OR.
  11. Eli, no further information, but died young in Jackson County, MO.
  12. William, born in 1838, Jackson, MO, died 22 October 1889 in Salem, Marion County, OR. Never married.
  13. Abraham, born 1 September 1841, Jackson, MO, died 11 November 1932. Abraham married first Amanda E. Curl on 12 April, 1860, Linn County; married second Eveline Terry on 20 July 1879; married third Alice Beeler 12 March 1902.
  14. Barbara, born 1 September 1841 in Jackson, MO, died 27 August 1889 in San Luis Obispo, CA. Barbara married 12 April 1860, Linn County, Ralph Sloan, son of Elvia and Matilda (Gaines) Sloan.

** NOTE: More recent research has shown that Rebecca Jane Prine was the daughter of William Martin Prine of Linn County, OR. See Biography of Joab Powell, Jr. for more information.

Sources:
  • "Dictionary of Oregon History," edited by Howard McKinley Corning, Binfords and Mort, Publishers, © 1956
  • "Linn County, Oregon Pioneer Settlers, Oregon Territory Donation Land Claim Families to 1855, Vol. II," John Miles
  • "Out West With the Circuit Riding Relatives," Carolyn Paine Webb












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