My Genealogy Hound

John M. Powell, D. D. S., was born in Marion County, Miss., September 16, 1848. His parents, Evan and Mary (Pittman) Powell, were natives of North Carolina, where the former was born July 2, 1810, a son of Nicholas and Betsy (Martin) Powell, of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, as was also his maternal grandfather. His father was a farmer by occupation. When he was nine years of age he left his native State, and went with his parents to Mississippi. In 1865 he emigrated to Arkansas, locating in this county on the same farm on which his son, our subject, now lives, where he died in 1888. He was married January 25, 1839, to Mary Pittman, born April 18, 1816, in Robeson County, N. C., a daughter of Newell and Susan (Barnes) Pittman, both natives of North Carolina. She is still living, and makes her home with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born nine children, seven of whom are now living. They are Nancy (the widow of E. T. Hudnoll, M. D., of this town ship), Jefferson A. (who owns a farm of 120 acres in this township, which he is engaged in cultivating), John M. (the subject of this sketch), Charles D. (a farmer of this township, as is also Evan), M. Aletha (is now Mrs. Snow, of Lewisville), and Sterling L. (is at home). Dr. Powell was reared in Mississippi, and received a good education in the common schools of that State, and also in this county, at the same time helping his father on the farm. In 1876 he went to Texas and served an apprenticeship as dentist under Dr. Ames, with whom he remained one year, then returned home and commenced the practice of dentistry, which he continued for five years. In 1881 he went to Nashville, Tenn., and attended the dental department of the Vanderbilt University, taking two courses, and was graduated at that institution in 1882 with high honors, after which he practiced at Pittsburg, Tex., for four years, since which time he has had an office on the old homestead, where he is now living. October 8, 1879, Miss Ellen M. Pitman became his wife. She was born in Columbia County, Ark., March 27, 1858, a daughter of Fortamutus Pitman, an extensive farmer of Columbia County. To this union have been born five children, four of whom are still living, viz.: Martin E. (deceased), Howard E., Laura A., Fred and Charles L. Besides his dentistry business Dr. Powell owns 160 acres of land, about fifty of which is under cultivation, and considerable town property in Childress, Tex. Politically, he is a Democrat, and takes a prominent part in the political affairs of his county. In 1878 he was elected county assessor, and for two years filled that office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens of the county. He is a Mason, and both he and his estimable lady are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Doctor enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and is one of the highly respected men of the county.