Walker Powell


Walker Powell was a Canadian businessman, militia officer and political figure.

Education

He was born in Waterford, Upper Canada in 1828, the son of Israel Wood Powell. He was educated at the county Grammar School. He studied at Victoria College in Cobourg and settled in Port Dover.

Career

He was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He served on the council for Norfolk County, becoming warden in 1856. He also served in the local militia. Powell worked as an insurance agent and ran a shipping company. In 1857, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Norfolk. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly for Norfolk County, 1857–1861. He was named deputy adjutant general for the militia in Canada West in 1862.
He served during the Fenian Raid in 1866. In 1868, he was named to the same post for the Dominion of Canada. He served as Adjutant-general of the Dominion, 1875–1896. Powell supported the choice of Kingston as the site for the Royal Military College of Canada.
He served in the Rebellions of 1869-1870 and 1885.
He retired in Ottawa in 1895 and died there in 1915.

Family

His brother Israel Wood served in the House of Assembly for Vancouver Island. Powell's son Charles Berkeley represented the city of Ottawa in the Ontario legislative assembly. His daughter Linnie Emma married McLeod Stewart, who was an Ottawa mayor.