Collection #

SC 2805

 

 

Russell L. Powell
Materials, 1876–1984

Collection Information

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Contents

Cataloging Information

 

 

 

Processed by

Kurt Jung
15 May 2007

Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269

www.indianahistory.org

 

COLLECTION INFORMATION

VOLUME OF
COLLECTION:

1 manuscript folder, 1 photograph folder

COLLECTION
DATES:

1876–1984

PROVENANCE:

Mr. Lewis E. Powell South Bend, IN November 30, 1999

RESTRICTIONS:

None

COPYRIGHT:

 

REPRODUCTION
RIGHTS:

Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society.

ALTERNATE
FORMATS:

 

RELATED
HOLDINGS:

 

ACCESSION
NUMBER:

2000.0147

NOTES:

 

BIOGRAPHiCAL SKETCH

Russell L. Powell was born October 29, 1903.  He was born into railroading as his father worked for Townsend Reed.  This company was building the Northwestern Division of the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company (Indianapolis-Lafayette).  Russell Powell began working for the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company at the age of 15 on May 8, 1919.  For the first month, he iced water coolers in the terminal station.  When the trolley man quit, Russell took that job.  After a few years in that position, Russell spent a few years as a brakeman.  As an adult, Russell served as a motorman in the Northwestern Division until 1929. 

Sources:

Materials in the Collection

 

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This folder contains various materials from the Powell family.  Included is a photocopy of an 1876 map of Wells County, Indiana which notes the locations of Powell family land, birth locations, and burial locations.  A black and white copy photo from 1889 shows the Powell family in front of their log cabin East of Zanesville, Indiana on the Allen-Wells County line.  Included as well is a letter from Charles Powell on Leyte during the Spanish-American War to his mother at home.  This letter was sent to Mr. Lewis E. Powell in South Bend in December of 1980 by Daris E. Hickman of North Tonawanda, New York.  Photocopies of articles from the Spanish-American War discuss Charles Powell.  A photocopy of an undated Civil War record of service for the 88th Regiment Infantry, Allen County, Indiana follows.  The folder also contains an August 6, 1984 revision of an oral history interview of Russ Powell.  This interview record gives Powell’s experiences in Interurban Railroading.  A note follows that states Gw. Powell was the last motorman on the Indiana R.R.  A handwritten address card for Russell Powell accompanies 17 employee transit passes from the Indiana Railroad, Indiana Railroad system, Indiana Service Corporation, Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern Traction Company, Fort Wayne-Lima Railroad Company.  These date from 1926–1944.

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

CONTAINER

Photocopy of 1876 Wells Co. IN map, letter written in 1900?; Photocopies of Spanish-American War era newspaper articles; Photocopy of service record during the civil war for the 88th Regiment Infantry, Allen County, Indiana;
Report of oral history interview with Russ Powell, revision date August 6, 1984;
Note stating Gw. Powell as last motorman on Indiana R.R.;
1 handwritten card of Russell Powell’s mailing address;
17 Employee transit passes belonging to Russell Powell

Folder 1

Black & white copy photo of Powell family in front of cabin, photocopy of photo back with the following note:
“Log house, east of Zanesville, Ind. On Allen-Wells Co. line. L. to R. Nettie, Henry, Elzie, Mary, Charles, Grandpa Powell, Victor, Grandma Powell holding Benj. Date—1889”

Photographs:
Folder 1

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1.      Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog:  http://opac.indianahistory.org/

2.      Click on the "Basic Search" icon.

3.      Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.

4.      Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, SC 2805).

5.      When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.