His son (this boy's grandfather), Charles Daniel Purcell, had been born in Louisa County and fought with the 23rd Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.

His father had founded Louisa Land & Lumber Corporation and his other son Richard (this man's brother) also became a real estate investor.

[9] Purcell was active in the Louisa Christian Church (becoming a deacon in 1956, trustee in 1961 and elder after 1964), Masons (attaining the 32nd degree and serving as master of lodge #58), Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Delta Phi, Scottish Rite Shrine, Ruritan, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Louisa Historical Society.

[10][11] Louisa County voters, together with those from nearby Goochland and Fluvanna Counties, first elected Purcell to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1947, shortly after his wartime service, and continued to re-elect him to that part-time position until Purcell resigned following the end of the turbulent 1958 session, to assume a seat in the Virginia Senate as discussed below.

[15] Purcell's personal friendships with Senator Byrd and Governor Miles Godwin (who led Virginia during the first years of Massive Resistance), as well as relationships with fellow legislators including businessman Charles W. Cleaton of Mecklenburg County led to Purcell's election as Circuit Judge for Louisa County in 1966.

While a judge (and for years afterward), Purcell (whose brother and related entities had purchased Louisa land which the Commonwealth had proposed to develop into a prison) was involved in legal disputes concerning what became the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District.