Paulus Powell (1809 – June 10, 1874) was a nineteenth-century politician from Virginia.

Paulus Powell
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Amherst County
In office
1863–1865
Alongside Henry E. Smith
In office
1843–1847
Preceded byJames Powell
Succeeded byWilliam Dillard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859
Preceded byJohn Caskie
Succeeded byShelton Leake
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byWilliam L. Goggin
Succeeded byThomas S. Bocock
Personal details
Born1809
Amherst County, Virginia
DiedJune 10, 1874 (aged 64–65)
Amherst, Virginia
Resting place"Kenmore," Amherst, Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionPlanter, lawyer, judge

Biography

edit

Born in Amherst County, Virginia, Powell attended private schools as a child and went on to attend Amherst College. He held several local offices and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1843 to 1849. He was elected a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1848, serving from 1849 to 1859. After being unsuccessful for reelection in 1858, he returned to the House of Delegates in 1863 and 1864. Powell died in Amherst, Virginia, on June 10, 1874, and was interred in the family cemetery on his brother-in-law's estate called "Kenmore" near Amherst.

Electoral history

edit
  • 1849; Powell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 50.87% of the vote, defeating Whig William Leftwich Goggin.
  • 1851; Powell was re-elected with 51.46% of the vote, defeating Whig Goggin.
  • 1853; Powell was re-elected with 52.49% of the vote, defeating Whig Alexander Mosely.
  • 1855; Powell was re-elected with 56.68% of the vote, defeating an American identified only as Ligon.
  • 1857; Powell was re-elected unopposed.
  • 1859; Powell lost his bid for re-election.
edit
  • United States Congress. "Paulus Powell (id: P000483)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 6th congressional district

March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859
Succeeded by