The Early Powell Family

The Powell Family has been in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for decades, starting around 1874. The head of the family who remained in Philadelphia their whole lives was Thomas Edward Powell Sr. He was born in June 1852 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He married Ellen Dougherty, who was born in Scotland. They had ten children together: Daniel Thomas, Sarah, Mary, James William, Anna, Agnes, Laura, Loretta Catherine, Thomas Edward Powell Jr., and Ellen Powell. Their son, Daniel Thomas Powell, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 25, 1877. He married Catherine Coakley at St.Charles Borromeo Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 8, 1901. His wife, Catherine, was born on February 23, 1875, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Coakley and Elizabeth Brennan. Daniel and Catherine had four children: Thomas Aquinas, Daniel Bernard, Elizabeth Catherine, and Joseph Alexious. 

Thomas Aquinas Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 29, 1903. He was baptized at St.Thomas Aquinas Church on July 12, 1903. James W. Powell, Daniel’s younger brother, and Mary Brennan were his godparents. Thomas Aquinas Powell married Sarah Gould Leckie on March 5, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had one child together, Thomas. Thomas and his family remained in Philadelphia but sadly lost touch with his brothers. Thomas passed away on January 31, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two years later, his wife, Sarah, died on November 3, 1980.

Daniel Bernard Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 5, 1905. He was baptized in St.Thomas Aquinas Church on February 26, 1905. His godparents were Thomas Powell, Daniel’s younger brother, and Alice Coakley, Catherine’s younger sister. Daniel went to St.Charles Borromeo Seminary School to become a priest. He graduated from the priesthood in 1926. He became Reverend Daniel B. Powell. He continued his education at The North American College in Rome, Italy. He graduated in 1930 with a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree. Reverend Daniel came back to Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. Daniel traveled to Europe, going to France, Germany, and Italy. He came back to America to live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. Reverend Daniel Powell was the Rector at Bethlehem Catholic High School. Throughout his life as a priest, he has taught at many places. From 1930 to 1939, he taught at St.Charles Seminary, and for one year, he was the assistant rector at Holy Cross Church in Mount Airy. In 1940, he was appointed to Saint Peter & Paul’s Parish in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, as their rector. Then, he was finally appointed pastor of Holy Infancy Catholic Church, where he was the pastor for 23 years. He sadly died on May 16, 1969, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. He was buried in Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

Elizabeth Catherine Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 15, 1907. She was baptized in St.Thomas Aquinas Church on December 8, 1907. Her godparents are Cornelius Brennan and Edith Coakley, Catherine’s younger sister. Elizabeth died on June 2, 1948, in Eagleville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was buried in the Old Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 6, 1928. 

Daniel and Catherine's final child was James Alexious Powell. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 28, 1912, and baptized on January 5, 1913, in St.Monica’s Catholic Church. James and Mary McDonald were his godparents. He married Anne Cecelia McDonnell on August 3, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by James’s older brother, Rev. Daniel Powell. They had four children: Joanne, Daniel Bernard, Rosemary Elizabeth, and Joseph Powell. The family moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Joseph died on November 9, 1973, in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. Seven years later, on August 4, 1983, in Clifton Heights, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, James’s wife Anne died. They were buried in Saint Peter & Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania.

The Powell family stayed in the Philadelphia area for their whole lives. Daniel and Catherine remained in their children’s lives until their deaths. Catherine sadly passed away on November 30, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was buried in the Old Cathedral Cemetery on December 5, 1927. Two years later, on November 21, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Daniel married Anna Bain. He later died on February 11, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was struck by a truck on 63rd North, opposite the junkyard and above Botanic Avenue. He received multiple fractures in his chest and legs. He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.