Tulare County Biographies

HARRISON A. POWELL

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Most of the sons of Kentucky who have come to California have developed into 
citizens of whom Californians are proud and they have exacted from California 
the full reward of enterprise and industry. This is true in the case of Harrison 
A. Powell, one of the best known citizens in the Exeter district in Tulare 
county, who was born in Henderson county, Ky., August 11, 1859, and lived there 
until 1902. He came to California at this time and located at Exeter, where he 
has made his home up to this time. He had passed the earlier years of his life 
as a farmer and it was but natural that he should have continued here to woo 
fortune after the manner of his youth. But at first he had not the capital with 
which to establish himself as he planned to do. He went to work, saved money and 
invested it in land, and while the land was increasing in value added to his 
fund by continuing his labors. Then when the land was worth selling he converted 
it into money and put the money where it would draw interest, and as a financier 
he has perhaps prospered as well as he would have done had he carried out his 
original intention to become a farmer.
In 1879 Mr. Powell married Leurah Cottingham, a native of Kentucky, and they had 
six children: Chester E., Ernest C., Judith A., Mary, Rhea and Earl. Mrs. Powell 
died in 1891 and in 1909 Mr. Powell married (second) Martha Ficklen, a native of 
Missouri. His father was born in Virginia, while his mother was a native of 
Kentucky. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, affiliating 
with both lodge and encampment, and was vice grand of his lodge in 1911. 
Politically he adheres to the Democratic faith. Having at heart the welfare of 
the community, he is public-spirited in such measure as to make for the very 
best citizenship. He is essentially a self-made man who has prospered by 
industry and frugality at the expense of his brain and brawn and not to the cost 
of any of his fellow citizens. Some idea of his quality may be inferred from his 
recent assertion, not boastful yet delivered with an air of satisfaction: "I am 
fifty-three years of age and have never been under the influence of liquor."
 
History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - 
Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913, pp. 634