[1] He was the son of Thomas Michael and Nora Mary (née O'Connor) Purtell, who were tobacco workers.

[1] During World War I, he served with the radio section of the U.S. Army Expeditionary Force in France, being discharged as a corporal in 1919.

[2] After working as a salesman for ten years, Purtell co-founded the Holo-Krome Screw Corporation of West Hartford in 1929 and served as its president, treasurer, and general manager until 1952.

[2] Purtell unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Connecticut in 1950, losing to Congressman John Davis Lodge.

[4] In May 1952, Purtell won the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent William Benton for a seat in the United States Senate.