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William V. Powell
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WILLIAM V. POWELL, owner and proprietor of the Powell Boiler Works, a prospering enterprise of Chicora, is an experienced, practical machinist and boilermaker, having been identified with
the business since he was seventeen years of age. Mr. Powell was born June 28, 1867, in Pennsylvania, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Richards) Powell. Thomas Powell was born in Butler County and died in the same county, November 13, 1907. The main occupation that he followed through life was farming. He married Mary Richards, who has been a resident of Butler County for thirty-six years, but was born in Westmoreland County. They had the following children: J. W., William V., Walter and Thomas, both deceased, Anna, Sadie, deceased, Frank,, C. E., and Nettie. William V. Powell was six years old when his parents moved to Armstrong County, where the family lived for two years, returning then to Butler County, where he attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old. For three years he assisted his father and then entered the shop of Frank Quinn, to learn the boilermaking trade, after nine months going to Petrolia, where he was in the employ of J. C. Lyons, for five and one-half years. From there he went to Slade Run, in Forward Township, where he conducted a shop for three and one-half years and then engaged with the Forest Oil Company of that place and worked for that corporation for seven and one-half years. Mr. Powell then came to Chicora, where, in partnership with Fred Henman and W. C. Aikens, he bought out Charles Hunter, this transaction taking place November 11, 1900. Later, Mr. Henman sold his interest to Mr. Powell and three years afterward, Mr. Aikens died and since that time Mr. Powell has been sole owner and has conducted the business by himself. He does all kinds of repair work and builds gas and oil tanks. His business standing is high and his personal character without reproach, making him a truly representative citizen. Mr. Powell married Miss Mary Aikens, of Butler County, and they have had two children: Iva, who was born July 4, 1892; and a babe that died early. Mr. Powell and wife are members of the English Lutheran Church. He belongs to the fraternal orders of the Woodmen of the World, the Woodmen of America and the Knights of Maccabees. Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 622. |
