The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-09-28

privations and dangers He was now,
after Ziuzendorfs departure at the head
/ of affairs Of the church in England, and
had serious responsibility resting on
him. Yet he did not decline the addi-
tional weight but applied himself to
his new duty with the accustomed de-
votedness, alacrity, foresight and atten-
tion to details.
The majority of the "Sea Congrega.
ton" consisted of Germans, many OF
whom had been selected to replace the
first colony at Pilgerruh in Holstein,
but being refused admission by the gov
ernment at Copenhagen, they now pro-
ceeded to America.
They reached London in February
and were not only received and enter
tanned by their local brethren but in
the organization of the "Sea Congre-
CATION" which sailed on the ship Cathe-
rine, there were included seven famili $
who Joined them there. These includ
ed Samuel Powell, with his wife Martha,
and Joseph Powell with his wife Martha,
who came from Shropshire, on the bor-
der of Wales. After all the perils and
hardships and delays of a sea voyage
in Those days these good Brethren land.
ed in this country, the Powells first
preaching at New Haven and holding
impressive religious discussion with the
students and Professors of Yale and
journeying toward New York from
New Greenwich on foot, reuniting with
their ships company in New York har-
Dor and sailing thenceto Philadelphia
from where they journeyed to Bethle-
hem, the chief of the Moravian settle
ments.
Of these Powell brothers Joseph was
the great grandfather of Joseph Powell,
of Towanda, Bradford County, Pa,
who is now the candidate of the Demo.
cratic party for State Treasurer. He
was active and prominent as Mora
Wan missionary for years after his land
ing and settlement in this country.
Among the Indians and the Negroes of
Jamaica and at the various missions of
his church he served the holy cause in
which he had enlisted. His wife died
in Bethlehem and is buried there. He
himself being sent by the church to the
Indian Station, Wechquednach, Conn,
OF the confines of New York state, died
in Sharon, Litchfeld County, Conn,
and in 1859 the Moravian historical
society erected monument above his
| grave taking up into it the stone which
his Indian parishoners had set over his
grave with the inscription of their
affection. His son Steven Powell, was
a soldier of the Revolution and in 1898
emigrated from Duchess County, N. Y.
to Bradford County, Pa, after the
birth of Joseph G. Powell, the father of
the subject of the present sketch. He was
farmer and man Of mark. Prominent
n the organization of the county, he be-
came quite conspicuousin its politics and
was from time to time, elected, against
adverse partisan majorities, sheriff,
county commissioner, prothonotary, and
member of the legislature. His son
Joseph Powell, was born in Towanda
in 1928, and was brought up on farm
and given common school and AGA.
demic education. At the early age OF
eighteen he entered upon mercantile
pursuits as clerk in store, and in 1852
began upon his own account the busi-
ness which he has successfully conduct,
ed-that of general merchandising. In
1866 he became connected with the
purchase of coal and timber lands in
Bradford county and as treasurer of the
company managed its concerns. These
included the erection and running for
several years of a tannery to use up the
lumber cut from the lands, as we'll as
the timbering of the tract and the sub
sequent operation of the mines. In all
of these he has displayed singular bust
ness tact and prudence. .,....
In 1868, tor the convenience of the
general public, the First National Bank
Of Towanda was organized, and Mr..
Powell, as one OF the foremost busi-
ness men of theplace, was an original
stockholder. He was elected president
in 1870, to fill vacancy caused by
the death of Z. H. Smith, and has re-
mained in the position ever since. Be-
sides these enterprises Mr. Powell is
connected with an establishment for the
manufacture of agricultural implements
in Towanda, and he has always been
farmer. In these varied pursuits he
has been uniformly successful, bringing
to them that genius of common sense,
sound business principles, intelligence,
thrift and comprehension which are
needed in the administration of public
as well as private affairs. Mr.. Powell
is no politician, and has never sought
office. During the war he was an
earnest supporter of the Union cause.
He contributed literally to the comfort
of the soldiers in the field, not only by
subscriptions to the Christian Commits
sion, Patriot Daughters and kindred
associations, but by more immediate
help; many of the soldier boys who
went out from Bradford county carry
ing in their knapsacks a blanket from
"Powell's store the gift of its proprie-
tor. Though specially exempted from
military service and relieved from con-
scription, he insisted upon procuring
and paying for substitute, whose mil
| ltary oearinB ne WaCcheu with great
solicitude and satisfaction. He took
issue with and separated from the
Republican party on its reconstruction
policy, and in 1874, without his knowl-
edge and despite his declination, he
was nominated for Congress by the
Democrats of his district aad elected in
the face of heavy Republican ma
jority. He served in the oath Congress
with an unusually large and influential
Democratic delegation from Pennsyl-
vania, and was highly popular with his
colleagues. On the Committees on
Private Land Claims and on Accounts
he was attentive, industrious and in
fuential, and on the floor he never
failed to faithfully represent and attend
to the business of his constituents.
When the repeal of the resumption-of-
specie-payment act was attempted he
kept steadily at his post to prevent it ;
all the measures of economy urged by
the Democrats in that memorable Con-
gress had his hearty support, and in