Black History Month: Powell family moves to South Bend — 1858

Throughout the month of February, The Tribune is publishing daily facts about South Bend's Black history. Follow the series at www.southbendtribune.com.

Rebecca and Farrow Powell moved their large family from Spencer, Ind. (near Bloomington), to South Bend. They were not the first African American people in this city; however, they established a long family ancestry that lasted into the 2020s. A fourth-generation descendant — John Charles Bryant — passed away in January 2022. He carried the legacy and memory of the Powells and many other African American families in this city through his tireless efforts to preserve and share local Black history.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Black history facts