Grandchildren of Roswell Powers

            Emily Phelps [Luna, Roswell], b. 1832

            There were two Emily Phelps who married in Ashtabula County in the mid-1800’s. The most likely one was Emily M. Phelps, who married Silas W. Thurber on July 29, 1856 (when our Emily was 24). The other one married in 1865. The following information is about the family of Silas and Emily (Phelps) Thurber, courtesy of Susan V. Geyer of Arcadia, FL. (1346 NE Newsom Dr., Arcadia, FL 34266 phone: 1-863-491-0118) We include it in this collection on the condition that we remember this is only significant if we can prove that Emily M. Phelps is the daughter of Harlow and Luna (Powers) Phelps.

            Emily M. Phelps was allegedly born around 1840.

            Silas Thurber was born in Caldonia Co., VT, in 1835.

            Silas joined the Union army during the Civil War. He was mustered into the 105^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and died in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 8, 1863.

            The 1870 census shows Emily’s children, Eugene and Mary, in Williamsfield, Ashtabula County. They were living in the home of Leonard and Catherine Tidd. There was no sign of Emily, though. According to Susan Geyer, Emily moved to west Michigan. She died in Newaygo County in December, 1904. There has been no sign of her in the 1870, 1880 or 1900 censuses.

Children of Emily M. Phelps and Silas W. Thurber:

            Franklin Phelps [Luna, Roswell], b. August, 1834, Cherry Valley, Ashtabula Co., OH, a child of Luna Powers and Harlow Phelps; m. Julia __.

            Julia was born in Ohio around 1841.

            The 1870 federal census shows Franklin living in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., MI.            In 1880, Franklin and Julia were still in Georgetown with their children Minnie, William and Floria. Franklin was a farmer. They remained in Georgetown until after Julia’s death (1880-1900). At the turn of the century (1900), Frank was shown as a widower, with his son William living in his home. We’re not sure what happened to Minnie and Flora.

Children:

Orville M. Phelps [Luna, Roswell], b. February, 1839, OH, a child of Luna Powers and Harlow Phelps; m. Flora Sweet, September 19, 1866, Ashtabula Co., OH.

Orville was in his twenties when his family moved to Michigan. By then, he was probably already involved in the life of Miss Flora Sweet. So while his family moved away, Orville stayed in Cherry Valley and married Flora in the fall of 1866.

Flora was born in Ohio around 1844.

            Orville and Flora were living in Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1880’s census. They had two children: Egbert and Millie. Orville was a farmer.

            Flora died after 1880. In 1900, Orville showed up in the census as a widower at the age of 61. He was living in the home of his newlywed son, Egbert, in Cherry Valley.

            During World War I, there was an Orville Phelps of Andover, Ashtabula County, who was conscripted at Camp Sherman in 1918. Since Orville would have been 79 years old at the time, it is obvious that this would have been someone else – perhaps a grandson. Interestingly, Orville did have a grandson named Orville Phelps, but he would have been 10 years old in 1918.

Children:

            Hannah A. Phelps [Luna, Roswell], b. December 4, 1836, OH, a child of Luna Powers and Harlow Phelps; m. George A. Roberts, September 24, 1862, Ashtabula Co., OH; d. March 6, 1927, Georgetown, MI; Georgetown Township Cemetery.

            George was born in Ohio on February 18, 1834.

            Hannah and George came to Michigan in 1864.

            In 1878-79, Phelps and Roberts were assessed for taxes in Georgetown, Michigan, for several properties, including about 61 acres, a dog and a cheese factory building.

            The 1880 Federal Census of Georgetown, Ottawa Co., MI, showed Hannah and her husband living in her parents’ home. Also in the home were their three children, Willie, Mortie and Lillie, and a servant, Emma Ireland. George and Hannah were listed in the 1892 County Directory in Section 24 in Jenison Township. They were members of the Old Settlers Association, both claiming to have come to Michigan in 1864. 

Hannah and George showed up in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI, in the 1900 census. George claimed to be a “capitalist.” There were no children in the home. 

            In 1910, George and Hannah were living on Second Avenue in Grand Rapids. Their address, according to family records, was 205 Second Avenue. As in the 1900 census, Hannah claimed to be the mother of three children, but only two of them survived. By this, we must assume that her children were those listed below.

The 1920 census shows Hannah and George in Grand Rapids, listed as “Robberts.”

            Hannah died March 6, 1927. She was buried in the Georgetown Township Cemetery. After Hannah’s death, George went to live with their son, Mortimer, in Grand Rapids.

            George died October 5, 1931, and was buried in the Georgetown Township Cemetery.           

Children:

            Capt. Casper H. Phelps [Luna, Roswell], b. October, 1851, Cherry Valley, Ashtabula Co., OH, a child of Luna Powers and Harlow Phelps; m. Lettie May Pennoyer, around 1876.

            Casper lived in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., MI, in 1880's federal census.

Lettie was born in Michigan in October, 1856. She never had any children, according to the 1900 census.

            In 1892, according to a query posted by Henrietta Kirkpatrick, Casper lived in Aberdeen, Chehalis Co., Washington. The 1900 census bears this out, for Casper was shown there with his wife Lettie May and mother-in-law, Aletta Pennoyer. Casper was working as the captain of a launch. They owned a home on Heron Street.

In the 1900 census, Casper’s alleged nephew, William George Roberts (b. August, 1863, MI), also lived with them. William claimed to be married (c. 1898), although his wife was not in the home. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough proof to substantiate this man’s connection to the family. Casper’s sister, Hannah (Phelps) Roberts had a child named George, but he was born in 1878. Also, William George Roberts claimed to be born in Michigan in August, 1863, but Hannah and George Roberts didn’t come to Michigan until 1864. The fact that Casper claimed William George Roberts as his nephew makes us wonder what was actually going on. Perhaps William was an “adopted” nephew, being a shirt-tale cousin from the homeland in Georgetown, Michigan.

We have not been able to find Casper in the 1910 or 1920 censuses.

            No children.

            Oliver C. Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. 1839, OH, the oldest son of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; d. 1863; Oceana Center Cemetery, Shelby Township, Oceana Co., MI.

            Oliver was living with his parents in Benona Township, Oceana County, Michigan, in 1860.

            There was no record of an Oliver Powers enlisting from Michigan in the Union army during the Civil War. However, Oliver died in 1863 and was buried in the Oceana Center Cemetery. He was around 24 years old.

            Roswell Wesley Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. 1842, OH, a son of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; d. June 11, 1863, Seneca Mills, Maryland.

            Wesley lived in his parents’ home in Benona Township, Oceana County, Michigan, until after 1860.

            At Benona, “Wesley” Powers enlisted in the 6^th Michigan Cavalry, Company I, during the Civil War. The regiment was mustered in October 13, 1862 and was stationed at Grand Rapids until December 10^th, when it was attached to Casey’s Division of the Provisional Cavalry Brigade. They served in the Department of Washington, protecting the nation’s capitol until the following February.

In February, 1863, two companies of the 6^th Michigan were attached to Jewett’s Corps of Observation – Companies I and M. Wesley joined Jewett’s forces for guard and patrol duty along the Potomac. Their mission was to prevent blockade running across the river to Baltimore. Company I saw their first real action on April 26, when they skirmished with rebels at Oakland, Maryland. 

Wesley’s company followed Capt. Deane to Seneca Mills, Maryland, on June 11, 1863, where they met a battalion of Confederate cavalry under Mosby. Major. J. S. Mosby’s Partisan Rangers had, the previous day, been enrolled as the 43^rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry. They were the rascals responsible for the embarrassing kidnapping of Brig. Gen. Stoughton in March that year.

Confederate Lt. George Whitescarver, a Virginia veteran of Scott’s Partisan Rangers, led Company A of Mosby’s Rangers that day. He had been captured previously during the war and paroled. He joined Mosby in February that year. He was a great asset to the Confederate operations in raids and espionage, and had taken part in the kidnapping of Stoughton.

Whitescarver died at the skirmish. Confederate Capt. W. G. Brawner was captured. One of Whitescarver’s men, William Hibbs, was wounded. Four Union soldiers died. One was wounded. Sixteen were missing. Wesley was one of the four who died that day (June 11, 1863).

After his death, Wesley’s company was attached to the 2^nd Brigade, 3^rd Division of the Army of the Potomac and joined forces at Gettysburg for one of the bloodiest battles of the war. All told, Wesley’s regiment lost 386 men – 135 killed in action and 251 to disease.

            No children.

            Martha Rosina Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. July, 1852, Ashtabula Co., OH, a daughter of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; m. Rev. Leander Scott Matthews, December 13, 1870, Shelby, Oceana Co., MI;

            When she was 17 years old, Martha married L. Scott Matthews in a ceremony performed by Rev. Luke Hitchcock. Witnesses were Silas C. Powers and Gould E. Matthews.

            Scott was born in Wood County, Ohio, in February, 1849.

            The 1880 census shows Leander and Martha Matthews in Marcellus, Cass County, Michigan. They had three children: Ada, Elsie and Arthur. Leander was a Methodist minister.

            In 1900, Leander and “Rosina” were living at South Arm, Charlevoix County, Michigan. They had seven children by now (shown below) Leander was a farmer. Their daughter, Ada, was a music teacher. Their daughter, Elsie, was a school teacher.

            Strangely, in 1910, Leander was named as a single farmer in South Arm at the age of 60. There is no sign of Martha or any of their children.

So far, we don’t know much more about this family.

Children:

            Phebe Roena Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. June, 1854, OH, a daughter of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; m. George W. Baxter, around 1883, Oceana Co., MI; d. before 1930, Claybanks, Oceana Co., MI.

            Roena was living in her father’s home in Shelby, Oceana Co., MI, in 1880. She was 26 years old and still unmarried. Around 1883, she married George Baxter.

            George Baxter was born in England in April, 1845. He immigrated to the US around 1868 and was naturalized in 1875

            The 1900 census shows George and Roena in Claybanks, Oceana County, with their two sons. In 1910, George and “Pheobe R.” Baxter were still in the same place, with their son George. The 1920 census shows George and Roena in Claybanks next to their son George Jr. and his family.

            The 1930 census shows George as a widower in the home of his son, “Emler G” Baxter, in Claybanks.

Children:

            Anderson M. Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. December 23, 1856, OH, a child of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; m. Carrie E. Light, around 1888, MI; d. May 6, 1936, Oceana Co., MI; Oceana Center Cemetery, Shelby, MI

            Carrie was born October 11, 1866 in Michigan.

            Anderson was living in Shelby Township, Oceana County, in 1895.

            Anderson and Carrie were living in Benoni Township, Oceana Co., MI, in 1900 with their daughter, Verna. In 1910, they were in Elbridge and in 1920 in the village of Shelby. Anderson was a general farmer. At the beginning of the Great Depression, they were living in Shelby. Their grandson, Edward A. Powers, was living with them. Anderson was a fruit farmer, living in the village of Shelby.

            Carrie died in Shelby on September 18, 1934 of Mitral Strenosis. She was 67 years, 11 month, 7 days old.

            Anderson died on May 6, 1936 of arteriosclerosis. He was 79 years old. 

Children:

            Rufus L. Delos Powers [Silas, Roswell], b. August, 1858, OH, a son of Silas C. Powers and Sally Moody; m. Maria E. Offord, March 18, 1885, Elbridge, Oceana Co., MI; d. 1930; Oceana Center Cemetery, Shelby, Oceana Co., MI.

            “Rufus” was living with his parents in Shelby, MI, in 1880. For most of his life, he went by “Delos.” On March 18, 1885, when he was 26 years old, Delos married 19-year old Maria Offord. The ceremony was performed by Rev. B. C. Robbins. Witnesses were Addie Colier and Anderson Powers.

            Maria was born in England in May, 1865.

In 1900, Delos and Maria were living in Shelby with their two sons, Myron and Alvin.

 The 1910 and 1920 censuses show the Powers family in Shelby Township. In 1910, his wife was Maria, and children were Myron and Alvin. Maria died after the census was taken that year (1910) and was buried in the Oceana Center Cemetery.

In 1920, Delos’ wife was said to be “Mara,” born in Michigan around 1876. Delos’ and Mara’s children were listed as Addison (14), Peter (12) and Leo (9). Myron and Alvin had moved to Muskegon Heights. Because of the ages of Delos’ three children in 1920, we must assume that they were Mara’s children by a previous marriage, since none of them were in his home in 1910. 

We have not been able to find Delos or Mara in the 1930 census. Mara’s three children were also not found.

Three children/three step-children:

            Ordell Hercules Powers [Orrin, Roswell] b. November 14, 1859, Richmond, Ashtabula Co., OH, a son of Orrin Hall Powers and Mary Elizabeth Stone; m. Maude Bliss Sisson, 1894; d. 1945, St. Petersburg, FL.

            Ordell was listed as “Alfred” in the 1860 census, but the name was Ordell in every census thereafter. He attended school at Meadville, (Pennsylvania?) and then moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend college (1883). While in college, he worked in New York, doing office work for the Standard Publishing House. In 1887, he was living in Leicester, Massachusetts, and selling books for his father. In a letter to his father, he promised to send him money to pay his debts. He apparently was still working for the Standard Publishing House, because he said he was going to receive a beautiful watch from them.

When Ordell was about 34, he married Maude Bliss Sisson. 

            Maude was born January 19, 1873, in Cable, Illinois.

Around 1890, Ordell moved to Chicago to help his brother, Althus, in opening the Powers Publishing Company (or Standard Publishing). When Althus died of appendicitis in December, 1890, Ordell took charge of the business.He purchased his sister-in-law’s share of the business for $3,500 and took ownership of the patent for the Chautauqua Combination Drawing Board and Writing Desk and the copyright for a grammatical chart by Mrs. Carie Williams of Los Angeles. 

In preparation for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1892, Ordell had “the Chautauqua” apartment building erected to accommodate visitors. He even got some assistance from his sister-in-law, who had moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to solicit visitors. 

The 1900 census shows Ordell and Maude living with their two daughters in Hyde Park, Illinois – near Chicago. Ordell was a publisher. Apparently, they were doing pretty well for themselves, for they were able to support Ordell’s parents and hire a live-in servant, Katie Callahan (age 23). Katie had recently immigrated to the US from Ireland (1894).

Ordell and Maude were living on Simpson Street in Ridgeville (also near Chicago) in 1920. Ordell was an agent and sales manager for a correspondence school. Upon retiring, Ordell and Maude moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. At the start of the Great Depression (1930 census), Ordell and Maude were living on Grove Street in St. Petersburg. Ordell was still working as an educational specialist/salesman. 

In his old age, Ordell must have come upon hard times. In 1937, he wrote to his nephew, Carl Powers in Colorado Springs, asking him for a $50 loan. Carl refused, because he felt like his mother had been treated unfairly when Ordell purchased the business from her in 1891. Of course, these bad feelings may have been amplified by the fact that his mother had recently died (1937).

Ordell died in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1945. Maude died July 2, 1851, in St. Petersburg.

Children:

Last update March 07, 2018