David Powell was born near Flemington, Taylor county, Virginia, July 18, 1831; worked on farm till he was twenty-two years old; attended school only during winter seasons; was a pupil of Rev. B. Bailey for three years, until he reached his twenty-fifth year; became a teacher and taught continuously until breaking out of civil war; volunteered as a sergeant, Company “F,” Third West Virginia Infantry; in 1862 he was commissioned First Lieutenant in Company “H,” Twelfth West Virginia Infantry, and served till close of war; was engaged in ten different battles. After close of war he engaged in farming and teaching; was County Superintendent of Public Schools of Taylor county in 1867-'8: was engaged for a time as financial agent of the West Virginia College at Flemington; removed to Wisconsin and entered the ministry of the Free Will Baptist denomination, and was pastor of Johnstown church; in 1879 he returned to his former home, near Flemington, West Virginia. He was elected as a Republican from Taylor county to the House of Delegates of West Virginia in 1882, and served with distinction in that body. He is now engaged in the Gospel Ministry in his native county. Mr. Powell is a man of large stature, and possesses ability, energy and force.