Hon Perry O Powell
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
Hon. Perry O. POWELL, representing his district in the state
legislature, belongs to that class of farmers in Polk county, whose
experience and knowledge of agriculture have been directed to a
special branch of the industry and whose intelligence and skill,
controlled by keen discernment and sound judgment, are making their
private enterprises public assets.  A representative of one of the
honored pioneer families of the state, Mr. Powell was born in Linn
county in August 1863, and is a son of Franklin S. and Louisa J.
POWELL, prominent and highly respected residents of Monmouth, extended
mention of whom is made in connection with the sketch of Dr. J. M.
Powell, which appears elsewhere in this work.
 
In the public schools of Monmouth, Perry O. POWELL pursued his
education, later becoming a student in Christian College, now the
State Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of
1884.  He then entered the Transylvania University at Lexington,
Kentucky, and was graduated therefrom in 1887, after which he pursued
a course of study in Yale College, from which he successfully followed
for a period of fifteen years in Missouri and Iowa, and for seven
years was an instructor in the Sate Normal School at Monmouth,
becoming well known as an able educator.  He then turned his attention
to agricultural pursuits, cultivating a portion of the old home place,
which after his father's demise was divided among the children.  He
operates a farm of two hundred and sixty acres, of which thirteen
acres are devoted to the cultivation of prunes, and he also has a herd
of registered Jersey cattle and is engaged in raising pure bred
Duroc-Jersey hogs, being very successful as a stock raiser.  He is
interested in all modern developments along agricultural lines and has
equipped his farm with the most approved labor-saving machinery.  He
believes in scientific methods and keeps abreast of the times in every
way.  He is much interested in Dairying, which is rapidly becoming an
important industry in Oregon, and modernly equipped and sanitary
establishments of this kind are making Polk county a valuable factor
in the resources of the state.  He is a director of the Oregon Dairy
Council, an organization for the promotion of the dairy industry in
the state, and was one of the organizers of the Polk County Fair
Association.  He served as president of the latter organization for
one term and has served continuously as a director.  He is president
of the Polk County Farm Bureau, which he was instrumental in
organizing; is secretary of the State Farm Bureau; and is one of the
most prominent and progressive agriculturists of the state.  As state
secretary he was placed in charge of headquarters of the State Farm
Bureau, in April, 1921, with offices in Portland.  He is a stockholder
in the Monmouth Cooperative Creamery Company and the Capital City
Cooperative Creamery of Salem and he has been most successful in the
management of his business interests, being regarded as an authority
on all matters pertaining to agricultural development along scientific
lines in his part of the state.
 
In October, 1891, Mr. POWELL was united in marriage to Miss Margaret
E. QUISENBERRY, and they have become the parents of five children,
namely:  Lydia, who is a graduate of the Oregon Agricultural College
and is now the wife of P. G. CARMICHAEL of Lexington, Oregon; Frank
B., also a graduate of the State Agricultural College and now engaged
in the cattle business in partnership with his father; Wilmer D., who
was also graduated from the State Agricultural College and is residing
at home; and Perry N. and Freda, both of whom are students at that
college.  The son, Wilmer D. enlisted for service in the World war and
was sent to the officers' training camp at Camp Taylor, Kentucky.  He
was commissioned second lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Sill,
Oklahoma.
 
In his political views Mr. POWELL is a stalwart republican and in
November, 1920, he was elected a representative to the state
legislature from Polk county, where he is making a most creditable
record, giving earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital
questions which come up for settlement and supporting all bills which
he believes to be of benefit to the public at large.  He also served
as mayor of Monmouth for two years, giving to the city a businesslike
and progressive administration.  He is a member of the Farmers Union
and the Polk County Grange, and of the last named organization has
served as master for the past six years.  His religious faith is
indicated by his membership in the Christian church and his life has
ever been guided by its teachings.  His career has been marked by
steady advancement, due to his close application, his study of the
business to which he has turned his attention and his unremitting
energy and reliability.  He is interested in all that has to do with
public progress in the community and state and the uplift of the
individual, and his aid and influence are always on the side of
advancement and improvement.  His entire life, with the exception of
fifteen years spend in teaching in the east, has been passed in Oregon
and his career has ever been such as had reflected credit and honor
upon the state.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. III, The Pioneer  Historical
Publishing Company, 1922,
Page 228-231, includes photo
 
 

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