Item 2 - Fires

James William Powell became an apprentice photographer with Sheldon & Davis in 1867. He opened his first business in 1868 as Powell & Tobey in Napanee, Ontario. By 1873, he had opened his own studio in Kingston, Ontario. His studios were located at 135 Wellington Street over King's Drug Store from 1875 to the early 1880's, at 43 Brock Street (part of the Anchor Block), then finally at 165 Princess Street in 1883.

In 1894, James Powell became blind after suffering from a stroke. His wife, Jane, and son, Haffell, continued the business from this point until 1906.