Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/679

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

is-tence solely to the industry, application and sure judgment of those who lead the company as president and vice-president, respectively, Albert Littleton Powell and Washington Lee Powell. That the con- struction of a business of stjch broad lines, the work of twenty years, did not exclude these brothers from other activities, is prov- en l)y their responsible and leading connec- tions with many of the best known and most highly rated companies and corpora- tions of the locality. Both ex-presidents of the Newport News Chamber of Commerce, as leaders of this body business interests in the city received from their hands valuable assistance and encouragement, and the in- dustrial and commercial standing of New- port News materially strengthened.

The Powells are an ancient family in the Old Dominion, Southampton county having long been its home. It was in this county that James Powell, grandfather of Albert Littleton and Washington Lee Powell, owned a large plantation, cultivated by a vast number of slaves. Littleton Green Powell, son of James Powell, at his father's death inherited this property, widening the activities in agricultural lines and adding stock raising to his interests. The first battles of the Civil war found him a soldier ii' the Thirteenth Virginia Cavalry, and he remained in the Confederate army until the final surrender. Once during his four years of service was he taken prisoner by the enemy, and was confined on Craney Island. When peace was restored he returned to his plantation, where, although it had suffered from the ravages of war, conditions were little changed, for the slaves he had formerly owned refused to leave the protection of his roof and continued in his kind service as before. Littleton Green Powell married Elizabeth Kirk, of Petersburg, Virginia, and had children : William Augustus, Joshua Harris, George Edward. John James, Sarah Elizabeth, Robert Henry, Albert Littleton, of whom further; Mary Green, Fillmore Madison, Thomas Jefiferson, Anna Virginia, Washington Lee. of whom further ; Paul Andrew.

Albert Littleton Powell, son of Littleton Green and Elizabeth (Kirk) Powell, was born in Southampton county, Virginia, in 1863. After studies in private and public schools he entered the Suffolk IMilitary Academy, whence he was graduated in the

class of 1886, soon afterward establishing in grocery dealings in Suffolk, Virginia. In this line he remained for four years, and ir. 1890 becoming a clothing merchant of Roanoke, Virginia, subsequently, for three years, followed real estate and insurance. Disposing of his Virginia business he moved to Indiana, until 1894 continuing in the same calling. In this 3-ear Mr. Powell re- turned to Virginia, making his home in Newport News, and forming, in partner- ship with his brother, the firm of Powell Brothers, real estate and insurance dealers and bankers. The rapidly increasing busi- ness of the firm and its immense volume made desirable of the incorporation of its ir.terests, and the firm of Powell Brothers was succeeded by the Powell Trust Com- pany in 1905, its officers being: Albert Littleton Powell, president ; Washington Lee Powell, vice-president, and J. E. T. Hunter, secretary and treasurer. The building in which the Powell Trust Com- pany is housed is one of the most hand- some bank buildings in eastern Virginia, a splendid home for a powerful corporation. Mr. A. L. Powell is also president of the Colonial State Bank, president of the Ivyton Corporation, president of the Riverside In- vestment Land Company, and president of the Midway Realty Company. His careful guidance has had its results in the flourish- ing prosperity of these concerns, their suc- cess adding to his reputation as a financier and business man of safe procedure, fore- sight and ability. His business associates rely upon his judgment, heed his admoni- tions, follow his advice, and grant him the privileges of leadership forced by the con- vincing arguments of continued and sub- stantial success. As president of the coun- cil of the city of Newport News Mr. Powell gave his able attention to the many im- portant questions that came before that body, the decisive actions of the council with him as its head productive of g^reat good to the city. He is an ex-president of the Chamber of Commerce and now serves Newport News as chairman of the Munici- pal Boat and Harbor Commission. His tal- ents have been freely devoted to the ad- vancement of his city, and the results of his labors credit his name. Mr. Powell frater- nizes with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a communicant of the