Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-05-15
Powers, the Sculptor.

The writer OF this article, . former res
dent Of the same town with Powers, hav
+ ng frequently heard him claimed as IA
i tive of New York, as also Of Cincinnati.
Ohio, desires to correct that impression by
the following sketch, the subject of which
has been very recently communicated by a
cousin Of the sculptor, Dr. Thomas f.
+ Powers, now residing near the place of his
nativity
Hiram Powers was born in Woodstock
ermont, July Is, 1903 The residence of
his father, Stephen Powers, was at that
time upon the hill, less than half a mile
south OF the present site Of the Episcopal
Church In this village This was the
original home Of his grandfather, Doctor
Stephen Powers who, with his wife, was
among the earliest settlers of the town ::
and, as the writer well remembers the
tradition Of them, were distinguished for
their clear perception and strength of char
acter.
The principal village of Woodstock is
situated in the northern part of the town
ship. in the valley of the OF Queecbe,
small bright river, spanned here by several
bridges. This stream passes through it BY
an eastern course, curyIng to the right and
left through a highly cultivated region,
surrounded BY hills, more or less distant,
forest crowned or titled, and occupied by
thrifty and intelligent population.
Bounding the northern side of this val
ley, and rising above it to the height OF
500 feet, is the emlnence called Mt. Tom.
To a place on the plain between the foot
g,P -.
removed soon after the birth of his son.
and here were passed the youthful days OF
Hiram Powers.
Few localities afford scenery better cal
culated to foster genius and stir the spirit
of aesthetic culture Woodstock, being the
shire town of one of the wealthiest coun-
ties in the State, has been noted from an
early date as exhibiting in its streets, bor-
dered by the native elm aud sugar maple,
in the dwellings of its inhabitants, with
their yards and gardens of flowers, aud in
its churches and public buildings for the
county, a model Of neatness and good taste,
The population, comprising manufacturers,
merchants. mechanics, and farmers, had
long included an unusual number of dis
tinguished professional men and although
situated in pastoral region of country.
there Is an air of cultivation and refine
ment visible among its inhabitants quite
unusual in an inland town.
Here also, about the same tine with
Powers, was born the Hon. George p. |
Marsh, our distinguished Minister Pleni-
potentiary to Italy. The fathers of the
two were neighbors, and probably little
dreamed of the rare but different types of
genius they had begotten.
The boyhood of each was passed among
the external objects. But time has moved |
on, while each has wrought under his |
special inspiration and now, in the full |
ness of years and honors, they meet once
more, and in that classic land of oratory.
science and art.
1t IS the purpose Of the writer to state
here only few incidents in the life of our
d stingulshed sculptor fuller account of
him may be had By consulting the '' Amer
lean Encyclopedia
Genius Is everywhere q most sagacious
and rapid self-instructor. and it must be
regarded as having been especially so in
the case of Powers. Going to Italy in
1887, he took up his residence in Florence,
where, IN the very next year, he executed
his statue of Eve, which Thorwaldsen pro-
nounced 70 be work - that any sculptor
might be proud to claim as his master
piece" The year following he finished
the model of the Greek Slave. OF this