Autobiography and Reminiscence of Abraham Powell, (Deceased), 1901.
Title:
Autobiography and Reminiscence of Abraham Powell, (Deceased), 1901.[Institutional Records Digitization Project: Reminiscences of Early Pioneers: 1900-1904]
Creator/Contributor:
Powell, Abraham, 1828-1895, creatorAbstract:
Autobiographies and Reminiscences of California Pioneers, p. 71-79, Vol. 2. This is a typed transcript, bound into a volume,
of the member's autobiographical reminiscence created as an institutional record for the Society of California Pioneers.
This reminiscence includes a reference to a photograph of the member in a set of bound volumes, but there is no longer a photograph
of this member in our collection. This reminiscence covers the period of Powell's life from 1840 to 1890. It provides Powell's
family and business history and details on his overseas voyage to California. Specific attention is given to Powell's stop
in Talcahuana. The reminiscence is written in a very congratulatory prose, and boasts Powell's numerous achievements and
contributions to California commerce and society.
Date:
1901 (issued)Subject:
Powell, Abraham -- 1828-1895
Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Pioneers --
California --
Biography
Voyages to the Pacific Coast
Lumber trade --
California, Northern.
California --
History --
19th century.
California, Northern.
Vallejo (Calif.) --
History
Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader
Autobiography & Reminiscence of Abraham Powell, (Deceased), 1901. The Society of California Pioneers
Abraham Powell was born on January 24, 1828 in Philadelphia, Pa. As a youth he was employed in the Philadelphia Navy Yard
and learned the trade of ship-joiner and civil engineer. He made numerous sea journeys in his youth, traveling to the West
Indies and Europe. In 1849, Powell joined the rush to California and boarded the ship "Oseola" in Philaelphia with sixty-four
of his fellow pioneers. The ship went around Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco on August 5, 1849. Upon arrival Powell
entered into partnership with a fellow traveler as builders and joiners. Together they constructed numerous houses and buildings
around San Francisco. In 1850, Powell returned to Philadelphia. He was appointed Master Joiner at the Mare Island Navy Yard
in 1854. Until 1858 Powell had full control of the yard operations on the Island. He was also Naval Constructor during this
period, but continued as Master Joiner down to 1864. In 1865 Powell entered into the private sector and became general manager
of the Puget Sound Lumber Company. He first established a retail yard in Vallejo and then extended his operations by building
yards in Napa, Suisun, Colusa, and in Yola County. He also owned a redwood mill at Stuarts Point in Sonoma County. Powell
was active in the Masonic Order, both in Philadelphia and California. He served as Mayor of Vallejo for eight years and was
a member of the board of Supervisors of Solano County
Type:
Autobiographies.Physical Description:
[9] p. ; 35 x 21 cm.
Language:
English
Identifier:
\LowResSCANS\Volume02\ARPowell,A01.jpg9
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
Copyright has not been assigned to The Society of California Pioneers. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Society of
California Pioneers as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright
holder, which must be obtained by the reader.
Related Item:
Autobiographies & Reminiscences of California Pioneers, compiled by The Historical Committee of the Society of California
Pioneers.