By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
Marcus DeLafollett Powell was born on November 2, 1853, in Scio, Oregon Territory, to John and Emily Powell. His family had deep pioneer roots—his grandfather, Joab Powell, was a well-known circuit-riding preacher who left a lasting mark on the early Oregon frontier.
In 1870, Marcus arrived in Prineville with his parents, stepping into a growing community where opportunity was often forged through hard work and perseverance. He took an active role in shaping local education, helping establish a subscription school while continuing his own studies.
Like many early settlers, Marcus tried his hand at several trades before finding his calling. He began as a cattle rancher on Beaver Creek northeast of Paulina, building up a herd on shares. After three years, he shifted to the mercantile business for a short time before turning to farming—a pursuit that suited him well. He worked the land for six years before opening a grocery store in Prineville. After another six years, the pull of farming called him back, and he acquired over 600 acres of farmland along lower McKay Creek, where he established a thriving hay ranch.
In 1880, Marcus married Victoria Thompson, the daughter of Ochoco pioneers Amos and Elizabeth Nye Thompson. Together, they built a life and raised six children. Sadly, Victoria passed away in 1894 at just 34 years old. Later that same year, Marcus remarried Averilla “Aver” Zevely Gerow, a widow who had also endured loss and knew the weight of rebuilding a life.
Marcus’s sense of duty extended beyond his own success—he was committed to the betterment of Crook County. In 1884, he became the first elected Crook County Assessor, serving for two years before continuing in public service as a county commissioner from 1902 to 1906. He also worked as Prineville’s recorder, ensuring the town’s affairs were well documented.
Yet, for all his civic and agricultural contributions, it was his voice that made him truly unforgettable. A talented singer, Marcus was a mainstay in the Baptist Church choir and lent his resonant tones to countless funerals and community gatherings. He was so beloved for his singing that he earned the nickname “The Golden Voice of Prineville,” a testament to the comfort and joy he brought to those around him.
Marcus Powell spent his entire life serving and shaping the community he loved. He passed away on August 25, 1931, and was laid to rest beside his first wife, Victoria, in Prineville’s Juniper Haven Cemetery. Aver lived on until 1938 and was buried next to her first husband, Arnold Gerow, in the Howard Cemetery on Upper Ochoco Creek.
Through his leadership, his land, and his golden voice, Marcus Powell left an enduring legacy in Crook County—a pioneer whose story still echoes through the high desert hills he once called home.