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'''Austin Toliver Powers''', usually known as '''A. T. Powers''' (June 26, 1896—October 14, 1975), was a leading figure from the 1930s to the 1970s in the theologically conservative American Baptist Association, based in Texarkana, Texas. He served as ABA president from 1957–1959, having been initially elected at the annual conference in Fresno, California.[1]

'''Austin Toliver Powers''', usually known as '''A. T. Powers''' (June 26, 1896—October 14, 1975), was a leading figure from the 1930s to the 1970s in the theologically conservative American Baptist Association, based in Texarkana, [[Texas]]. He served as ABA president from 1957–1959, having been initially elected at the annual conference in Fresno, [[California]].[1]

==Background==

==Background==

Powers was born to James H. Powers and the former Mary Eliza Cole in Comanche near Brownwood in West Texas. He was descended from veterans of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. James Powers was the oldest son of Samuel Hopkins Powers, an Indian fighter who surrendered late in life to the Baptist ministry, with his spiritual undertakings confined to rural churches. Samuel and James Powers were both tenant farmers. A. T. Powers recalled that despite modest circumstances, his father was civic-minded, self-educated, and among the best read men in the community. Mary Powers was the oldest daughter of William H. Cole, a slaveholder, preacher, and a soldier in the Confederate States Army who had been born in Cass County, Texas, but settled further west in Comanche. In his autobiography, Powers indicates that his Grandfather Cole was "a general", but the rank has not been confirmed.[2][3]

Powers was born to James H. Powers and the former Mary Eliza Cole in Comanche near Brownwood in West Texas. He was descended from veterans of the Confederate Army during the [[American Civil War]]. James Powers was the oldest son of Samuel Hopkins Powers, an Indian fighter who surrendered late in life to the Baptist ministry, with his spiritual undertakings confined to rural churches. Samuel and James Powers were both tenant farmers. A. T. Powers recalled that despite modest circumstances, his father was civic-minded, self-educated, and among the best read men in the community. Mary Powers was the oldest daughter of William H. Cole, a slaveholder, preacher, and a soldier in the Confederate States Army who had been born in Cass County, Texas, but settled further west in Comanche. In his autobiography, Powers indicates that his Grandfather Cole was "a general", but the rank has not been confirmed.[2][3]

After residing in Comanche, the Powers family lived in several other Texas locations, including Lamesa in Dawson County and Port Lavaca in Calhoun County on the Texas Gulf Coast near Victoria. Their constant moving was spurred by James Powers’s efforts to find good drinking water.[4]

After residing in Comanche, the Powers family lived in several other Texas locations, including Lamesa in Dawson County and Port Lavaca in Calhoun County on the Texas Gulf Coast near Victoria. Their constant moving was spurred by James Powers’s efforts to find good drinking water.[4]