The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-06-30
OBITUARY.


death of Ncrmont's most famous son. and |
the worlds most distinguished artist, |
whose career honorcd his native state and |
whose statues form noble part of the |
world of art. Our commonwealth has
produced many sons who have gained Tor
themselves distinction in various relations
but II was reserved for Hiram Powers, born
of humble parentagc. among our beautiful
mountains, to develop that genius of ere
alive art, which should outstrip them all,
and when death comes hard uron the al
lotted measure of life, three score and ten,
the whole civilized world recognizes his
name, and honors his fame.
Hiram Powers was born at Woodstock,
Vermont, July Goth, 1905 He was in the
sixty eighth year of his age. and had his
life been prolonged but few weeks longer
he would have completed that period of
life He was the eighth child of a family
of nine children. He received the educa-
ton of the Vermont boys at that day in
the district schools. finding leisure occa-
sonally to learn the art of drawing. His
family removed to Ohio, and on the death
of his father soon after. the future sculptor
was thrown upon his own resources. He
established himself in Cincinnati. where he
was successfully employed in reading
room connected with enc of the hotels, and
a clerk in produce store where he re-
NAMED until his employer failed lie af
forwards engaged with a clock maker, but
he aspired to some higher branch of the
arts. From German sculptor he learned
the art of modelling in plaster, and for
seven years he directed the wax work de-
partmcnt of the Western Museum at Gin
cinnat In 1885 he went to Washington,
where he wac some time proiitably employ
ed in modelling busts of distinguished men.
Through the assistance of his patron Mich
olas Longworth, of Cincinnati, he was
enabled to 90 to Florence, arriving in the
Italian city for the first time in the year
1887, where he has since resided. He i'm
mediately applied himself to his studies,
and in 1878 produced an ideal statue of
eve" of which the Florentine critics said
that it ''promised great things" and ii was
at once accepted as a successby the artistic
world. Thorwalsden, the great master,
pronounced Eve work which any
sculptor might be proud to claim as his
MASTERPIECES. This was followed in 1889
by the Greek Slave his most popular
work, Of which he has made several dupli-
Gates, one of which is in Vermont marble
| ic nil Mt cf
Powers truly American genius. It's
exhibition at the Woilds Exhibition in
London in 1857, placed his name high up
and ndclibly on the roll of artists of fame
and honor. Among his other well-known
works are the - Fisher Boy" Proserpinc, ="
bust, =" California" America, modelled
for the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Eng
land, bronze statue of Webster, now
erected in the State House grounds at Bos-
ton, and portrait statues of Washington and
of Calhoun. The latter, his best work of
the kind, after being shipwrccked on Long
Island, was safely deposited in Char
lesion. Among other numerous busts are
those of Adams, jackson, Marshall. Everett
and Van Buren,. Mr. Powers was the in
yentor of useful process of modelling in
plaster which obviates the necessity of
taking clay model Shortly after the
first Boston fire he wrote very practical
letter concerning fire-proof buildings, in
the course of which he stated that no dwell
ling had been burned in Florence during his
residence there of thirty-seven years. There
are many other works it would be pleasant
to notice, but it must I've deferred until
another article.
1t is Il source of regret that while this
great son of our mountains has produced
the finest works of art to adorn the CAPT
tolls libraries and museums of art in the
old and new world, Vermont has failed to
procure any specimen of his skill, even to
ad0rn the capitol of her historic places, to
which she can point as monument of the
genius of her distinguished son. 1t will be
remembered that a few years since, when
Congress appropriated the old Representa-
tves Hall, at Washington, as gallery of
art, in which were to be placed the statues
of two of the distinguished citizens of each
state, Senator Morrill, urged upon our
Legislature, in an elaborete report, the
employment of Mr. Powers to make Il
statue either of Ethan Allen or Judge Col
lamer, to be wrought out of Vermont
marble. This work Mr.. Powers offered to
do for his native state at very reasonable
ompensation-which he intended to make
the best work of his life. The proposition
was rejected in the House by large ma
jority. He went to his grave without the
recognition of his great services by his ma
tive state-with which his name will ever
be associated-as her most celebrated
son. This fact is not honorable to our
commonwealth or the spirit of its people
The citizens of Florence were proud of
Mr.. Powers as a citizen. lie had built for
of the city. He loved his adopted country
but he loved also America. All American
citizens, especially Vermonters, visiting,
Florence were assured of cordial welcome
at his dwelling. A gentleman who visited
him few years since, said at that time,
she appeared to have many years of work
in him, though his hair had been touched
little by time. His form was erect and
his eye as brilliant as ever, and the good
old Vermont stamini in him, he thought,
would carry him through for many long
years to come, and prayed that the crea-
tions of his genius might be more numerous
and if possible still more brilliant"
The fame of sculptor is unattended by
the popular furore which accompanies that
of military cheftain or statesman, but
Mr.. Powers reputation came quickly and
viii be brilliant and enduring, Although it