| Notes |
· Abraham Powell was born July 15, 1855 at Ogden, Utah to James and Jemima Wimmer Powell. James was from North Carolina and of English ancestory while Jemima's people came from Pennsylvania and was German. Abraham was the ninth child and sixth son.
Jemima always thought of him as a blessing because he was born a few years after the death of their son James. James died in 1853 after one year of life. Jemima and Abraham developed a special relationship which endured until his death. He took care of his mother and his last thoughts were of her welfare. Abraham was one year old when his father was drowned in the Weber River. Soon after the death of James, Jemima decided to take the 6 children and go to Springville to be near her parents, the Peter Wimmers. While in Springville she married Richard Williams on Mar 23, 1859. This marriage is a mystery because no one seems to know anything about it. Undoubtedly, it was of short duration. Jemima took back her Powell name. There are no known records listing her as Williams. Tyrone Powell found the Marriage record while doing research at Springville. However, after Jemima's mother died and her father remarried she moved with Abraham and Martha Ellen to Kamas. The older boys had left home by this time. Melinda had married Caleb Rhoads. Simion and John had gone to Kansas to homestead. They were both married in 1863. John built a log cabin for his mother and Abraham. Abraham idolized his brothers. They took him on their trapping and hunting excursions often. The brothers tried to take the place of Abraham's Father.
The Black Hawk War drove the family out of Kansas during 1866-67. They then moved to Pondtown, or Salem as it was later known. After arriving at Pondtown, John built 2 log houses, one for his mother and brother and one for himself and his young family. During these years Abraham became very close to his brother-in-law Caleb Rhoads who had married his sister, Malinda. Abraham with Caleb, John, and Simion spent many happy hours trapping and hunting in the mountains. These men loved the outdoors and were contented with their carefree existence. Abraham's brother Simion had been divorced from his wife, Lydia Hawley, and was living in Pondtown to be near his family. Around 1877 Abraham's sister divorced Caleb. Malinda left the area but Caleb stayed and became even closer to Abraham. Later that year while Abraham and Caleb were trapping at Castle Valley, they followed White River (Price River) down to a primitive area now known as Carbon County. They remained here for a time and built cabins in the Northwest corner of what is now Price City. As soon as the trapping season was over these hardy trappers returned to Salem. Abraham spent the next trapping season in the Nebo Mountains. Abraham had a premonition and a dream that a terrible fate awaited him.
During the cold winter months when the men of Salem couldn't farm they would travel to Mount Nebo and hunt meat for the winter. They would also cut firewood to burn in the stoves for warmth. A camping party of Abraham, his brother John, John's son Johnny Jr., Johnny's uncle Robert Snyder, and Caleb Rhoads had gone into the mountains to hunt for the winter's supply of meat and wood when the terrible catastrophe occurred. An eyewitness account of it follows at the end. As Abraham lay dying in his brother John's arms his last request was for John to take care of their mother. Abraham died December 3, 1878 and was buried in the Salem Cemetery. On Dec 14, 1893 his mother Jemima was buried beside him. His friend, hunting companion and brother John joined them December 17, 1928. In death as well as life the closeness was maintained between the brothers and their mother. In his last will and testament John made a provision for monuments and a fence to be placed on and around all 3 graves. All three sleep peacefully in the beautiful secluded Salem Cemetery waiting for the resurrection to reunite them with all their loved ones.
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rakaydance originally shared this on 18 Nov 2010
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From the Deseret News December 6, 1878
A most lamentable accident occurred on the 3rd day of the 12 month. A party of hunters consisting of John Ammon Powell (brother), Caleb B. Rhoades (brother in-law), and Robert Snyder, of this place, started on the 23rd of November, on a deer hunting expedition. They selected their hunting grounds at Nebo Creek, east of Mount Nebo. As they were gathering up their game, one of the party, Brother Abraham Powell was attacked by a grizzley bear, which lay secreted in the brush, about 10 feet off, striking him down before any defense could be made, and litterally tearing his eyes, mangling and bruising his whole body in no less then forty-seven different places, in a most fearful manner. Notwithstanding he was used in such a dreadful manner, he rallied and hollored to his brother John Ammon Powell, who was nearly three- quarters of a mile off from the scene. The latter sped to his rescue as fast as possible and carried him to camp, when he received all the care and attention that the isolated circumstances would permit; but in spite of all efforts, he expired on the morning of the 4th in severe suffering.
The deceased was a young man, aged 23; a most daring and fearless hunter. He was industerious and of exemplary habits, a quiet and peaceable disposition, dutiful and kind to his mother. He was the son of the late James Powell, so well know in the Missouri persecutions, and Mrs. Jemima Powell, an aged lady, who lives to mourn his loss. His comrades, at his request, ordained him to the priesthood of and Elder, and dedicated him to the Lord, after which he expired, uttering his last words, "Take care of mother."
The funeral services will take place tomorrow at the residence of this brother, John Ammon Powell, in this town.
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1855 - 1878 (23 years)
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