Max L. Powell

Max L. Powell (April 26, 1869 March 2, 1941) was a Vermont politician who served as President of the Vermont State Senate.

Biography

Max Leon Powell, the son of E. Henry Powell was born in Richford, Vermont on April 26, 1869.[1] He graduated from the University of Vermont and studied law. Powell also studied at the University of Geneva, and received a master of arts degree from the University of Vermont in 1907.[2]

Powell began to practice law in Burlington in 1892. In addition, he became involved in several local businesses, including owning and operating the Van Ness House and the Hotel Vermont hotels.[3] He was also active in the insurance business as a principal of Powell & Marks in Burlington. Powell also served in the Vermont National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain on the headquarters staff of the 1st Vermont Infantry Regiment, the state's main post-Civil War troop organization.[4]

A Republican, Powell served as Deputy Auditor of Accounts during his father's term as Vermont Auditor of Accounts.[5] He was Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1892 to 1893.[6] From 1894 to 1896 he was Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs (chief assistant) to Governor Urban A. Woodbury.[7][8]

Powell served as Secretary of the Vermont State Senate from 1896 to 1902.[9] In 1902 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for State Auditor.[10]

In 1910 he was elected to the State Senate, and chosen by his peers to serve as Senate President pro tempore. In 1914 he was again elected to the State Senate, and again selected to serve as Senate President.[11][12]

In 1914 and 1926 Powell was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor.[13][14]

Max Powell died in Burlington, Vermont on March 2, 1941.[15][16] He was buried in Burlington's Lakeview Cemetery.[17]

References

  1. Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1888, page 349
  2. Prentiss Cutler Dodge, Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography, 1912, pages 292 to 293
  3. History page, The Historic Vermont House web site, accessed May 28, 2012
  4. Albert Nelson Marquis, Who's Who in New England, Volume 2, 1915, page 869
  5. White River Paper Company, Vermont Year Book, Formerly Walton's Register, 1891, page 198
  6. Albert Nelson Marquis, Who's Who in New England, Volume 1, 1909, page 758
  7. Vermont General Assembly, Journal of the Senate of the State of Vermont, 1895, page 14
  8. Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1895, page 324
  9. Vermont General Assembly, Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, 1900, page 471
  10. Mason Arnold Green, Nineteen-Two in Vermont: The Fight for Local Option, Ten Years After, 1912, page 91
  11. Albert Nelson Marquis, Who's Who in New England, 1915, page 869
  12. Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, Presidents Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate Since 1870, 2011, page 3
  13. Walter Hill Crockett, Vermont: The Green Mountain State, Volume 4, 1921, page 456
  14. Vermont State Archives, 1926 Republican Primary Election Results, 2006, page 1
  15. Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008, entry for Max Leon Powell, accessed May 28, 2012
  16. Daily Kennebec Journal, Hotel Man Dies in 71st Year, March 3, 1941
  17. Max L. Powell at Find a Grave
Political offices
Preceded by
Ernest W. Gibson, Sr.
President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
1910 1911
Succeeded by
Frederick H. Babbitt
Preceded by
Frederick H. Babbitt
President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
1915 1916
Succeeded by
William H. Fairchild