Frank Evans Powell; W. Feliciana, then Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
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Frank Evans Powell is a resident of De Ridder, an attorney by
profession, but is best known for his capable services as a member of
the Legislature, a leader in all the progressive legislations of his
terms.  He was largely responsible for the passage of the bills
creating the present parishes of Jefferson Davis, Alien and
Beauregard, the last named of which he represented eight years in the
Legislature.

Mr. Powell was born on a plantation in West Feliciana Parish
December 11, 1881, son of Frank E. and Sallie (Ball) Powell, his
father a native of Wilkinson County, Mississippi, and his mother of
Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.  Frank E. Powell was a planter in
West Feliciana Parish and while living there was prominent in
democratic politics, serving in the office of parish assessor.  Since
1893 his home has been at New Orleans, where he is secretary of the
Bernhardt Paint Company.  He is treasurer of the St. George
Episcopal Church at New Orleans, and a member of the Knights of
Pythias.

Frank Evans Powell, oldest in a family of five children, was educated
in public schools, including the Boy's High School at New Orleans,
and one of his teachers during his youth was Professor Henry E.
Chambers, author of the present history of Louisiana.  Mr. Powell
graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University
in 1903, following which for two years he taught French and
mathematics in the Lake Charles High School.  He then resumed his
work at Tulane University m the law department and was graduated
Bachelor of Laws in 1907.

In the same year he engaged in general practice at De Ridder, but
from 1910 to 1913 had his home and law offices at Lake Charles. 
Since 1913 he has been again at De Ridder and since 1920 has been
head of the firm Powell & Le Compte, handling a general civil
practice.

Mr. Powell in 1912 was elected a member of the State Legislature
from Calcasieu Parish.  In the following session he introduced the
bills creating the present parishes of Allen, Jefferson Davis and
Beauregard, all of which were created in 1912.  He was assigned to
represent Beauregard Parish, and in 1916 was elected for a regular
term by that parish.  His legislative record is a notable one.  He
introduced the measure creating a commission form of government
for all cities in Louisiana except New Orleans and Shreveport.  He
also introduced the bill creating a Louisiana Tax Commission.  He
acted as administration floor leader under Gov. R. E. Pleasant.  In
1918 he was the prohibition leader in the House for the ratification of
the eighteenth amendment, and exercised a prominent influence on all
legislation affecting woman suffrage and child labor.  He was
co-author of the Haas-Powell bill of 1918, submitting the question of
women suffrage to the vote of the people.  Another object of his
study and influence, both while in the Legislature and as a private
citizen has been good roads and good schools.  At the constitutional
convention of 1921 he represented the Seventh Congressional
District.  He has also served as chairman of the Beauregard
Democratic Executive Committee.  He was one of the organizers and
was vice president in 1924 of the De Ridder Rotary Club, is past
president of the Dc Ridder Chamber of Commerce, and during the
World war was chairman of the Beauregard Chapter of the Red
Cross, acted as government appeal agent, both as an individual and
through organizations did all he could to promote the success of the
government.  Mr. Powell is a vestryman, lay reader and teacher of
the Bible class in the Trinity Episcopal Church at Dc Ridder.

He married at Lake Charles, December 30, 1907, Miss Margaret
Jessen, a native of Cameron Parish.  She was reared in the family of
Capt. George Lock at Lake Charles.  Since her marriage she has
given much time to church work and woman's clubs.  Mr. and Mrs.
Powell have one child, Medora Emma Powell.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 274-275, by Henry E.
Chambers.  Published by The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, 1925.