Wesley Powell

Wesley Powell (October 13, 1915 – January 6, 1981) was an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 70th governor of New Hampshire from 1959 to 1963.

Powell was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He attended schools in Portsmouth before graduating from the University of New Hampshire. He received his law degree from the Southern Methodist College of Law in 1940.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and practiced law in Manchester before his tenure as the 70th governor of New Hampshire from 1959 to 1963. During Powell’s tenure, he helped to consolidate state agencies, and to promote tourism. As governor Powell opposed tax increases.

Powell ran for renomination in 1962, he was defeated in the Primary by John Pillsbury who lost the general election to John W. King. Powell made unsuccessful bids for the governorship in 1964, and 1978, and The U. S. Senate in 1966 and 1972. Powell died of natural causes on January 6, 1981, at the age of 65.

Memorials A street in Hampton Falls is named Governor Powell Drive.