From a genealogy developed by Hazel Fullerton Cravens- cousin of Ira Pierce Powers Jr.
John Brock Powers and his brothers Barton, Berry, Ira and Joe came from Alabama and Mississippi to Texas about 1878 working on the T.P. Railroad as laborers.
Barry lived at Italy, Texas and was killed in a sandpit in 1895.
Barton Powers was killed in a tornado when they were living in Sherman, Texas.
Joe's oldest son Joe Jr. died in Fort Worth and his son Jim was Killed in McKinney, Texas.
Joe Sr. married (2) Alice Hunt Brooks.
Their daughter, Holly Lillian was born in 1917. She married Doyl Harris and lives in Texas.
Sally Powers was older than John Brock Powers and Married Lee Jackson.
John Brock Powers went into the ministry in the Methodist Church in 1891 in the North Texas Conference. That year and the next he was appointed to Lake Creek Circuit in the Paris district. In 1895, he left the ministry at his own request. In 1908, John Brock and Rena moved to Southern Oklahoma. They lived in Greer County, and Jackson County. In 1918 John Brock died in Cooper, Texas. Rena and her daughter May lived in Dennison, Texas, and Altus, Oklahoma, where Rena died in 1938.
From The Descendants of John Brock Powers
[sent by Melanie Lee Henry, 7714 139th PL, NE, Redmond, WA 98052 (1998.)]
... Rev. J. B. Powers, of Dallas, traveling agent for The Texas Christian Advocates, (a Methodist publication) is in the city, and will remain here for days, during which time he will call on Methodist families in the interest of his paper."
Rev. J. B. Powers, of McKinney, occupied the pulpit at Methodist Church last Sunday morning. Brothers Thompson, of this place, and powers of McKinney, gave us a pleasant call last Friday morning. Their talks were highly appreciated and we hope they may be with us often. More anon."
Rex Lake Creek ..."JB Powers, Feb. 15. The first quarterly conference for the Lake Creek Circuit was held at Brushy Mound February 13 and 14. Presiding Elder JB Wages on hand, full of the spirit of the Master. He did some excellent preaching. We have not heard better preaching. He is a great favorite with his people. Paid first-quarter for the support of the ministry $115.20. The people have been very kind to his family. Many tokens of kindness have found their way to the parsonage, for which we feel thankful. We are expecting and praying for a gracious revival of religion all over this circuit this year. Pray for us."
... needed 1892 at top of page ... Lake Creek and Hinckley Circuits ..."JB powers at Lake Creek, going from house to house as they do, we expect to great things of the two works this year. Powers is well called PowerS instead of Power, for it should be in the plural. He is a power in the social circle. In the pulpit, as well as at home and abroad, and always hasn't had word for every one he meets, and if the people don't know him, he makes them acquainted, so much so that they never forget the acquaintance."
NOT GUILTY Is the verdict of a church trial at Plattonvile.
"Plattonvile Circuit of Methodist Episcopal Church South held its quarterly conference Saturday, August 3rd, 1895, at Shady Grove, and organized with presiding elder F. A. Rosser as president; and whereas charges of immoral conduct have been preferred against Rev. J. B. Powers, preacher in charge, the conference with open doors proceeded to investigate said charge fully, fairly and impartially, the prosecution being conducted very ably by Rev. Clark of Paris and Gearon of Lamar County, and the defense by Rev. Hicks of Sherman in Rev. W.M. Robbins of Blossom, assisted by Col. S. S. Crockett. After mature deliberation the conference arrived at the conclusion that the defendant, Rev. J. B. Powers, was not guilty and so rendered their verdict. We the undersigned were appointed a committee to report the action of the conference to The News and Advocate with request that they publish the same.
N. J. Hammond, S. S. Crockett, Allen Circuit W.D. Estes, Aug. 17: a glorious meeting was closed of Whites Grove last night by Rev. J.B. Powers of Wylie, our pastor's local preacher. The meeting continued three weeks: interest increased daily until last night for the first time our church would not hold (all) the people. Brother Powers is really a revivalist and brimful of religion. visible results: twenty-three conversions, 16 joined our church; one infant and two adults baptized; church greatly revived. The Baptist brethren, like true soldiers, came and helped to chunk of the revival. Brothers Stafford of McKinney, and __ble, of Weston, did faithful and effective preaching. Brother Cobb was here at the beginning of the meeting, but had to go to Wiley, where a meeting is now in progress. Several enthusiastic workers from the charge will go to Wiley tomorrow. We bless all their efforts.
Allen, S.S. Cobb, Sept. 24. I closed my protracted meeting at Allen last night. met with much and strong opposition from the Cambellites; they and the devil combined their forces and contested every inch of the ground; but we came out victorious in the end, thanks be to The Lord. We had 22 old fashioned conversions. all save one, found Christ at the morner's bench. Up-to-date we have had 201 conversions on that circuit and 170 accessions to our church, have baptized 60 adults and 17 infants and the church has been gloriously revived all over the work. This has been a good year for Methodism on The Allen Circuit. God has most graciously blessed our labors and to him be all the praise. Bros. Powers and Latty, might local creatures, were with me in the campaign and did faithful and efficient work. I had no other help to amount to anything, except at Allen. Brother Rippey, of Montague, preached for me four days to the edification of believers and to the awakening of sinners. Brother McKay , of Rockwall, was with me a few days, and did valuable service. Brothers Spragins of Plano, was with me one night and preached a most excellent sermon. Then came the boy preacher from Plano, Barney Lewis, who, with Powers, captured everything in town, except the Campbellites. I think our success in Allen is largely attributable to their faithful efforts. The people showed their appreciation of their labors by placing in the hands about $35. Hope to be able to report all claims paid at conference.
He was Methodist his ancestral file number is 28.
