Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-20
WILLIAM POWELL DEAD.
The Veteran Mine Superintendent Passes
Away at Upper Lehigh.


Away at Upper Lehigh.
On Saturday morning at 12 25 o'clock
William Powell, Sr., the veteran mine
superintendent, died at his residence at
Upper Lehigh after long and eventful
career. Mr.. Powell was born December
4, 1917, at Blaenavon, Monmouthshire,
South Wales, and began the life of
miner at very early age. The ex-
perience of his youthful days, as a
miner in his native country, induced
him to emigrate to the coal fields of
Pennsylvania about 1S41, which at that
time was nothing more than vast
wilderness.
After working at various places in
Schuylkill and Carbon counties, he at
last resumed his old occupation, that of
a miner, at Summit Hill, which place at
that time was operated by Belford,
Sharp Co., with which firm the
Leisenrings were more or less identified.
His skill as miner was soon recognized
by the firm and upon all questions of
mining his opinions were sought and
proved to be of great Importance. This
firm began operations at Eckley about
1854, and some years later Mr.. Powell
removed his family to that place.
In 1865, when the Leisenrings began
operations at Upper Lehigh, he was
placed in charge of the mining depart
ment, and by his ability and keen fore
sight soon established reputation for
himself as mine superintendent, that
extended throughout the anthracite coal
fields. New openings were made with
the utmost judgement and perception,
and so scientifically and systematically
was mining conducted under his direction
that in few years the collieries of
which he had charge were the least ex-
pensive and most flourishing in the
region.
The good qualities of the man were
shown to best advantage in his dealings
with the men in his employ. Every one
was judged upon their merits in an
honest and fearless mannan. Favoritism
was something unknown. All men were
treated alike and promotion was meted
out to those worthy of it. If man had
any complaint to make he was listened
to and the matter adjusted amicably.
When he had dollar earned it was
given him, and petty strikes were of
rare occurrence. The workings were
always conducted in such way that the
evils of other corporations, such as cars
running slow, scarcity of timber, bad air,
ETC.. were entirely avoided. His object
at ali times was to keep the men in his
charge at work and that each day IS work
would produce days wages.
In 1886 he retired from active life and
confined himself chiefly to his residence
and its surroundings until the time of
his death. Besides his wife, he leaves
family of three sons and four daughters
all of whom are well-known and highly
respected in this section. Mr.. Powell
was Mason of high degree.
Mr.. Powell was aged rs years, IL
months and IA days. The funeral will
Jdho pidCc lOluOITOW dlltTuOOu. ioeTNlCeb
will be held at his late residence at l p.
m. by Rev. ]. W. Bischoff, after which
the remains will be taken to the Free
land station and conveyed via the 2.33
train to Hazleton, where interment will
be made in the Vine street cemetery.
Mrs. Charles McGill, of Rockport,
sister of Mrs. Hugh Gallagher, of this
place, died late Friday evening from an
attack of heart disease. She was buried
at Laurytown cemetery this morning.
Owen Ferry, a well-known and res
pected resident Of Hazleton, died in that
city on Saturday. He was brother-in-
law of Mrs. Denis Ferry, of Main street,
Freeland, and the funeral this morning
was attended by many from this side.
DEATHS.