It took drive and determination to survive, and be successful in the Old West. The subject of this week's story had more drive and determination than most, and his accomplishments reflected it.
On March 24, 1834 John Wesley Powell was born. He was the son of a Methodist minister and farmer. At the age of 18, he had little money and even less of an education.
But a determined Powell was able to get a job as a schoolteacher. Powell had to study at nights and on weekends to stay ahead of his students. During this time, he became interested in natural science, and took several college courses.
He was a captain of Union artillery during the Civil War. During the Battle of Shiloh, Powell raised his arm to signal his battery to fire, and a rifle ball hit his elbow. Although his right arm had to be amputated, Powell stayed in the army, and retired as a major.
Still interested in education, Powell became a college teacher. In 1868, a one armed Powell and six others made the first recorded ascent of Colorado’s 14,225 foot Long’s Peak.
There he was able to view the numerous rivers of the Colorado watershed. He became determined to explore this last piece of unmapped wilderness. In 1869, Powell led ten men in four small boats down the Colorado River, exploring the depths of the Grand Canyon.
In spite of Powell’s great discoveries and research, many professional scientists looked upon him as an amateur. But, because of his scientific prestige, he eventually became the director of the U. S. Geological Survey.
When Powell died in 1902, this determined, one armed soldier, teacher, explorer, geologist and anthropologist had played a vital role in the settlement and development of the West.
