Known to orchid enthusiasts as C. W. Powell, he was born Charles Lesslie Pullen in Richmond, Virginia, to Benjamin King Pullen Sr. and Minerva "Minnie" Anner (née Smith) Pullen [REF].
In 1860, 6 year old Lesslie and his family moved, by train, 800mile southwest to Memphis, Tennessee, for the opening of his father's china store.