Early life In 1855 he spent four months walking After leaving the Army he took the post across . In 1856 he rowed the of professor of geology at the Illinois CALIFORNIA Mississippi from St. Anthony to the sea, Wesieyan University. He also lectured at John Wesley Powell (March 24, 1834 - in 1857 he rowed down the Illinois State Normal University, helping September 23, 1902) was a U.S. soldier, from to St. Louis, and In 1858 found the Illinois Museum of Natural Explorers geologist, and explorer of the American down the , then up the History, where he served as the curator, West. He is famous for the 1869 Powell Mississippi and the to but declined a permanent appointment Geographic Expedition, a three-month central . He was elected to the in favor of exploration of the American river trip down the Green and Colorado Illinois Natural History Society in 1859 West. John Wesley Powell rivers that included the first passage through the Expeditions

From 1867 he led a series of expedi tions into the and around the Green and Colorado rivers. In 1869 he set out to explore the Colo rado and the Grand Canyon. He gath ered nine men, four boats and food for Civil War and aftermath ten months and set out from Green River, Wyoming on May 24. Passing through dangerous Powell enlisted in the as a rapids, the group passed down the Powell was born in Mount Morris, New topographer and military engineer. Green River to its with the York, in 1834, the son of Joseph and Serving first with the 20th Illinois (then also known as the Mary Powell. His father, a poor itinerant Volunteers. At the , he Grand River upriver from the junction), Needles Field Office preacher, had emigrated to the US from lost most of one arm when struck by a near present-day Moab, . The 1303 South U.S. Hwy 95 Shrewsbury, in 1830. His family Minie ball. The raw nerve endings in his expedition's route traveled through the Needles, OA 92363 moved westward to Jackson, Ohio, then arm would continue to cause him pain Utah canyons of the Colorado River, Walworth County, Wisconsin, then fi the rest of his life. which Powell described In his published Phone: (760)326-7000 nally settling in Illinois in rural Boone diary as having ". .wonderful features Fax: (760)326-7099 Despite the loss of an arm, he bravely County. He studied at , carved walls, royal arches, glens, alcove www.ca.blm.gov/needles Wheaton College, and , returned to the army and was present at gulches, mounds and monuments. From acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek Champion Hill and Big Black River which of these features shall we select a and Latin but never graduating. Powell Bridge on the Big Black River. Further name? We decide to call it Glen had a deep interest in the natural sci medical attention to his arm did little to Canyon." One man quit after the first ences, and a restless nature. As a slow him; he was made a major and month and another three left at young man, he undertook a series of served as chief of artillery with the 17th Separation Rapid, only two days before adventures through the Army Corps. In 1862 he married Emma the group reached the mouth of the Vir U.S. Department of the Intenor valley. Dean. gin River on August 30, after traversing Bureau of Land Management almost 932 Miles.