Wesley Powell

Wesley Powell (born October 13, 1915 in Portsmouth , New Hampshire , † January 6, 1981 ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1959 to 1963 .

Early years and political advancement

Wesley Powell attended the University of New Hampshire and then studied law at Southern Methodist College until 1940 . During the Second World War he was in the bomber command of the Air Force in Europe. He was wounded in the process. He was later awarded for his military service.

Powell was a member of the Republican Party . Between 1940 and 1949, with the exception of his military service, he was assistant to Styles Bridges , who at that time represented New Hampshire in the US Senate . From 1950 Powell worked as a lawyer in Manchester and Hampton Falls . Also in 1950, his candidacy for the US Senate failed. In 1956 he was defeated in the gubernatorial primaries against Lane Dwinell . In 1958 he managed to be elected as the new governor of his state.

New Hampshire Governor

Wesley Powell began his new role on January 1, 1959. After re-election in 1960, he was able to serve until January 3, 1963. During this time, some government departments were merged to save money and the administration was reformed. On the other hand, the governor resisted tax hikes. He promoted the further expansion of the motorways and tourism. In 1962 he failed in the Republican primary. During the actual election, he then supported the Democrat John W. King on the condition that he let Powell's reforms exist in the administration. So it happened, and Powell's administrative reform continues to this day.

Further life

After the end of his governorship, Powell withdrew from politics. But he continued to work as a lawyer and he bought a weekly newspaper that he published himself. Wesley Powell died in January 1981. He and his wife Beverly Swain had five children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 3, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Wesley Powell in the National Governors Association (English)
• Biography of New Hampshire (English)
• Wesley Powell in the database of Find a Grave (English)