JOHN G. F. POWELL, was born in Jamaica Plains, Queens Co., N.Y., Sept. 4, 1839, and is a son of James H. and Jane (Bernard) Powell. He was educated in the common schools there, and when 16 years of age he went to New York city and entered, as errand boy, the dry goods house of Perego & Son. He made a three year engagement with this firm at a graduated salary, but at the end of the first year he was promoted from errand boy to take charge of the hosiery department of the business. He served this firm six years, and then established a mercantile business in Brooklyn. A year later his former employers induced him to sell out and take an interest in their business, and he thus became the junior partner in the firm of Perego & Son. Here he continued until the spring of 1871, when on account of failing health, he withdrew from the firm, and in February, 1872, came to Illinois and located at Carrollton. Here he carried on a meat market a few months and then followed various employments until 1874 when he became deputy county clerk, under L. R. Lakin. He afterwards became deputy, under John Jones, in the sheriff's office, and has served under succeeding sheriffs, in like capacity, ever since, being now the able assistance of Sheriff Morrow. On Oct. 14, 1876, Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Nellie Brown. They are the parents of one son, Harold. In politics Mr. Powell is a staunch democrat, as was his father before him. He is a member of the A.O.U.W. and K. of H. lodges at Carrollton. He is an active business man, always at his post of duty, which fact has secured him a large circle of warm friends whose confidence and esteem he enjoys.