Ralph Newman Powers

My grandfather, Ralph Newman Powers, was the son of Richmond descendant, Addie (More) Powers.   I knew my grandfather very well, but what could actually be proven about who he was?  A lineage society, for example, would want to know.

In addition to my own personal knowledge that Ralph Newman Powers was my grandfather, Ralph was head of the household in 1930 and 1940 that included my father, Richard Newman Powers (check for other corroborating evidence, i.e., obituary, death record, marriage record).

United States Census, 1930

Flint, Genesee, Michigan

Household Gender Age Birthplace

head Ralph N Powers M 33 Michigan

wife Beatrice J Powers F 29 Michigan

son William C Powers M 4 Michigan

son Ralph H Powers M 2 Michigan

son Richard N Powers M 0 Michigan

United States Census, 1930, index and images, FamilySearch (accessed 09 Feb 2013), Richard N Powers in household of Ralph N Powers, Flint, Genesee, Michigan; citing enumeration district (ED) 0037, sheet 35B, family 87, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 985.

United States Census, 1940
FamilySearch (accessed 09 Feb 2013), Richard Powers in household of Ralph Powers, Ward 9, Flint, Flint City, Genesee, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 85-164, sheet 4B, family 84, NARA digital publication T627, roll 1896.

Proof that Ralph N. Powers is the son of William S. and Addie (More) Powers is found on Ralph's birth record, his death record, as well as the naturalization records of both William and Addie.  In 1920, Ralph Powers was living in Genesee County, Michigan, with his parents.

In 1910 Ralph was living with his parents in Lapeer County, Michigan.  Ralph N. Powers's WWI Draft registration card his more information.  Ralph married (Jessie) Beatrice Cameron on March 29, 1924; his parents were listed as Wm. S. Powers and Addie Moore.


The 1900 census would be the first for Ralph N. Powers, and included his grandmother More:

1900 MI Census - Calhoun Co., Battle Creek Twp., Battle Creek City #269
POWERS, William S., head, w/m, b. Aug 1859, mar 22 years,Can/Can/Can
" Addie, wife, w/f/, June 1864, 4ch/3living, MI/Scotland/New York
" , Ward S., son, May 1893, Mich/Can/Mich
" , Ralph N., son w/m/July 1896, single, Mich/Can/Mich
" , Addie M., daughter, w/f/Feb 1898, single, Mich/Can/Mich
MOOR, Cynthia, mother-In-Law, w/f, Dec 1829, wid, 6ch/3living,NY/NY/NY


Here's a Battle Creek, Calhoun Co. deed for the Powers family.

Ralph listed in Addie (More) Powers's obituary:

She married William S. Powers at Dryden, Mich., 1888. He preceded her in death in 1939. She was a member of Court Street Methodist Church. Surviving are: 3 sons, Ward of Phoenix, Arizona, Ralph and Marion of Flint; 2 daughters, Mrs. William Allen of Pomona, Calif., Mrs. Angus Zimmerman of Flint; 18 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren.