Francis Marion Powell

F. M. Powell (1848-1903) was an American physician. He was the superintendent of the Iowa State Institution for the Feeble Minded.

Early life and education Francis Marion Powell was born in Morgan County, Ohio, November 12, 1848, being the second child in a family of seven children. In 1857, he removed with his parents to Vernon County, Wisconsin. He attended the common schools of Wisconsin and earned the means that enabled him to attend the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio , from which institution he graduated. and he advocated for their state care.

In 1882, he was appointed superintendent of the state institution for feeble-minded children at Glenwood. When he took charge of the institution, there were less than 200 patients, and the equipment was primitive. The buildings were old and not at all adapted to the needs of the institution. He at once began to build up the institution. He arranged for the erection of modern and well equipped buildings; he conducted a campaign for more money to enable the institution to have the best skill obtainable for the treatment of the state's children with special needs than he had a ever anticipated.

Personal life He had two sons and two daughters: Dr. Velura Powell of Red Oak, Mrs. Black of Chicago, Fred E. Powell of Red Oak, and Waldo Powell of Washington state. He planted over of apple trees on his property in 1892. There were at least 68 different varieties.

Francis Marion Powell of Red Oak, Iowa, died August 16, 1903, in Chicago, at Mercy hospital of a complication of diseases. Interment was in Glenwood, Iowa.

Selected works "School gardens", The Minnesota Horticulturist, volume 30, 1902, pp. 335-343