My Genealogy Hound

Hillery R. Powell, whose success as a farmer is proverbial, was born in Hempstead County, Ark., April 15, 1846, His father, Henry I. Powell, was born in South Carolina, being a son of Jacob and Latha Powell. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Henry I. Powell came to Arkansas in 1842, and located in Hempstead County, where he entered a tract of wild land, which he successfully cultivated until death removed him in 1876. His wife, nee Elizabeth Sanderson, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Sanderson, both natives of Alabama, was born in that State, and is still living, making her home with one of her sons who lives within two miles of our subject. She is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, as was her husband. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living, viz.: Martha, Eliza, Hillery, Wesley G., and Joseph M. Martha is now Mrs. Huchiby, and resides in this township; Eliza is Mrs. Crank, and is also a resident of this township; Hillery is the subject of this sketch; Wesley G. owns 160 acres of good land in this township, and devotes his time to cultivating it; Joseph M., also a farmer of this township, owns eighty acres of land, which he tills. In 1864 our subject, then a youth of eighteen years, enlisted in Bird’s regiment of Confederate cavalry, serving as a courier for Confederate officers, and served until May, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, after which he returned home, and the next year commenced life on his own responsibility by engaging in farming, subsequently marrying, the same year, Miss Sarah Landes. She was born in 1849, daughter of J. A. and Elvira (Carson) Landes. To their union have been born ten children, but six of whom are now living, viz.: Julia (now Mrs. Lafferty of this county), Ila, Jacob B., James Wesley, George W. and Amos, all at home. Mrs. Powell is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Powell’s farm contains 160 acres of excellent land, with over fifty acres under a high state of cultivation, and he is classed among the well-to-do agriculturists of this section. He was formerly a member of the County Wheel, and in his political views, affiliates with the Democratic party.