Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-07-03
OBITUARY..
Death of Hiram Powers
The Sculptor.

after a lingering illness. We find in
an exchange the following beautiful
obituary, which we transfer with mel
ancholy pleasure to our columns:
Mr. Powers was native Of the
State of Vermont He was born at
Woodstock, on the Goth of July, 1905.
lie was the eighth child of his parents,
who were Of the agricultural class, and
by no means burdened by the good
things of this life; and his rise was
very slow. He had 10 other educa-
ton than what was attainable by the
poorest Of children, and none that was
calculated to develop his peculiar fac
ulty. While yet child he went with
his fathers familyt Ohio, where their
circumstances were not much improv-
ed. After his fathers death he was
variously employed in Cincinnati.
Sometime he was engaged in read
ing room belonging to a hotel then
in produce store; and finally in q
clock making establishment. More
uncongenial pursuits for a youth con.
scious Of the possession Of great tai
ents it would be difficult to name.
Becoming acquainted with Ger
man sculptor he acquired from him
knowledge of the art of modelling in
plaster, and he followed the business
with success. Hethen connected him
self with a Museum al Cincinnati, and
had 'the wax work show under his
direction for seven years Such were
the humble beginnings of what was
destined to be one Of the most bril-
liant careers Of the nineteenth centu-
ry. The story is full of encourage
mcnt to young men, but it is not pos
sible to keep out of the recollection
the many bitter houls which must have
tormented one who felt that he was
born to something better than the
mere drudgery OF existence. "The
genial current OF the soul" is often
frozen under such circumstances, and
it is probable that every year sees
some man sink into oblivion, who,
with q little encouragement, would do
honor to his country.
At the age Of thirty Mr.. Powers re
paired to Washington, where he met
with considerable encouragement. lie
modelled the busts Of many prominent
men, and Washington could then
boast of many men who deserved to
live in marble. President Jackson,
Vice President Van Buren,, Mr.. Web
ster, Mr. Calhoun, Mr.. j. @. Adams,
Chief Justice Marshal and Edward
Everett were OF the number who ap-
prcclated and encouraged the artist
He was well pail for his labors, and at
the same time he acquired the friend
ship Of Mr.. Longworth, afterward so
successful as Il cultivator Of the vine,
and who assisted him Thus iavora,
bly, situated, he carried into effect his
purpose to visit Italy, in 1887; and
he made that home of art his home,
residing principally at Florence, but
making visits to other parts OF the
Peninsula. His career from that time
was one of entire success lie had
found HIS place and he filled It noblv.
His first great work was his E0e,
which was produced in 1888, and
which commanded universal admira-
ton, 1t was as much commended by
artists as by the general public. Per
haps the highest tribute ever paid to
rising merit by critic whose word
was law was the declaration Of Thor
waldsen, then at the zenith of bis fame,
that Powers Fee was a work of which
amy sculptor might be proud as his
masterpiece. This was sufficient to
stamp the American artist, and thence
forward his course was assured. In
1889 he completed the model of his
Greeh DSl0oe, the work by which he is
best known, and of which it is not
possible to speak too highly. 1t is a
great poem in marble. 1t has been
repeatedly duplicated, in marble, and
the number of plaster casts is immense,
and so is the number Of reduced cop
les. it would be difficult to cite a
more successful work. He continued
to produce works that secured great
popularity. Among these the Fisher
Boy stands conspicuous, and it has
been several times repeated In marble
The PenSorOS0 is another of his best
productions; and his Proserpioe, a
bust, is much praised, Americo he
prepared for the English Crystal Pal
ace.
Mr.. Powers has been much employ
ed on American works. He produced
the statue Of Washington for the
State Of Louisiana; and that of Mr..
Calhoun for South Carolina The
bronze statue of Mr.. Webster, now in
front Of the State House in Boston, is
one of his productions-but not even
hattery could venture to say that it is
favorable specimen Of his genius.
There is something in our modern
masculine costumes, vary them as you
may. which is fatal to excellence in
sculpture. Many busts of eminent
Americans have been executed by Mr..
Powers, and they are in all cases per-
formances of a high order, and will ev-
er rank with the first class Of artistic
productions. These and other works
brought him fortune. His fame had
been established from the time that he
had given his Fee to the world.
Though residing abroad, Mr.. Pow
ers ever retained strong national