Elder Interview-John Powless
Name/Title
Elder Interview-John PowlessEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.339Tags
Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Powless, John E. Born 06/05/1924 Parents: Mark and Margaret (Stevens) Powless They lived in Oneida where Percy lives. They did not have running water or electricity. They had a small farm, a couple of cows, pigs, horses and chickens. He worked for the WPA fixing roads. His parents spoke the Oneida language. His dad went to school in Flandreau, South Dakota. He does not know where his mother went to school. He only knew his grandfather John Powless. He used to stay at a stable; he had a horse and buggy. His other grandfather was Edward Stevens; he used to live on Overland Rd. They used to stay with him. His chores were to feed the animals, bring in some wood, and haul in some water. They did not make corn soup; they used to buy it from Nelson Skenandore. On Christmas they used go down to the Stone Church to get a present and a bag of candy, and then we went to the Lutheran Church and they got another present and a bag of candy. He started going to school at the Catholic School for 3 years. Then he went to Lutheran School. He never went Hoyoning. They had a horse and buggy and later on, they got a car. They went to the World’s Fair in Chicago in a Model-T; it took 3 days to get there. If someone got sick, his mother would give them some kind of home remedy or if they were too sick, they would go to Doctor Hill. He went in the service in 1942 to 1945. He went to Iowa to be an Iron Worker. Then he got married to Lois Moore in 1947. They have 6 children. They moved all over Milwaukee, Chicago, Iowa, California and Indiana. Then they moved back to Oneida in 1975. They have 20 grandchildren. His advice to the youth is to stay school.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media, Military