Lazarus W. Powell

Lazarus Whitehead Powell (* October 6, 1812 in Henderson, Kentucky, † July 3, 1867 ) was an American politician, Governor of Kentucky and U.S. Senator for that State.

Early years and political rise

Lazarus Powell attended the local schools of his home and then the St. Joseph College, Bardstown. After studying law at Transylvania College, he became a lawyer in Henderson. His political career began in 1836 with his election to the House of Representatives from Kentucky. In 1848 he was defeated as a candidate of the Democratic party in the gubernatorial elections the Whig John J. Crittenden.

Governor of Kentucky

In 1851, Powell was again the candidate of the Democratic Party for the office of governor. The election result was very close. Powell won with 48.8 percent of the vote against Archibald Dixon, with whom he had previously brought together a law firm; this came to 48.1 percent. The two traveled together to their campaign events and remained friends. In absolute votes Powell had a lead of just 800 votes. He was the first Democrat in the office of governor since John Breathitt, who held the office 1832-1834. During his tenure (1851-1855), he raised taxes to pay for better education policy. He also encouraged the further expansion of the railway network. At that time, the electoral districts in Kentucky have been re- classified. In the national conflict between the North and the South Powell tended as governor rather to the view of the southern states; at least he was their policy than to the north.

U.S. Senator

In 1858 he was commissioned by the federal government to mediate in a conflict with the Mormons in Utah Territory. From 1859 to 1865 he was U.S. Senator in Washington. He had finally not yet connected to the south, but was in Congress a critic of Abraham Lincoln and his policies. This led to the unsuccessful attempt to relieve him of his duties in the Senate. He was accused of being a secret friend of the Confederacy, but what could not be proved and also did not correspond to the facts. After leaving Congress, he worked as a lawyer again. An attempt to be re- elected to the Senate failed. Lazarus Powell died in July 1867. He was married to Harriet Ann Jennings, with whom he had four children.