John Wesley Powell, an American geologist, born at Mt. Morris, N. Y., March 24, 1834. In 1842 the family removed to Wisconsin, where he received a common school education, and at the age of 16 became a teacher. At the age of 20 he entered Oberlin college, Ohio, which he left after two years to study geology. He spent four summers in travel through the western states, collecting plants, animals, and fossils. In 1861 he entered the army as a volunteer, and at the battle of Shiloh lost his right arm. He subsequently rose to the rank of major of artillery, and was actively engaged in the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns and in the battle of Nashville. In 1865 he became professor of geology in the Wesleyan university at Bloomington, 111. In 1867 he organized a scientific expedition to Colorado territory, and repeated it in 1868. Congress having authorized him to explore the Colorado river and the adjoining country, he organized a small party and navigated it through the entire length of its immense cafions. Since that time Prof. Powell has been engaged in a general scientific survey of the region drained by the Colorado and its tributaries, including a topographical survey by triangulation,. its geology, zoology, botany, and ethnology.

His researches into the languages, habits, and traditions of the Indians of Utah have been especially important. He is at present (1875) chief of the second division of the geographical and geological survey of the territories, under the interior department.