A legendary Seminole warrior, Osceola was born in 1804 in the Upper Creek village of Talisi (also known as Tallese and later Old Tallassee), which was located 4.7 miles south of present-day Tallassee at the mouth of Euphaubee Creek on the east (left) bank of the Tallapoosa River.

Known as William (Billy) Powell to Anglo-Americans, Osceola became a leader of the Florida Seminoles and is credited as having initiated the Second Seminole War (1835-1842).