The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-08-23
A MOST INTERESTING
Pioneer Citizen Visiting His Old
Home.

ing pioneer citizen of our county, whG
came here with his parents in 1922
from Pittsburg, Pa, now living or
Eastern Avenue in our city, has as his
guest his older brother, Mr.. John Pow.
ers, who will be SO years old in October
A brother-in-law, named Black, had
come to Logan County, prior to 1922.
This led Mr.. John Powers, E5li's father,
to move here and settle in what is now
Harrison township. They came to
Cincinnati in hatboat, constructed
for that purpose, and came from Gin
cinnati on horseback. They moved
from Harrison township to farm on
the Rushcreek road, and while there,
Tin 1928, the whole family, eight per-
sons, were stricken with malarial
fever. All of the family but three,
4 sister,) died. A brother of their
father, hearing of the sad misfortunes
of the family, came out from Pittsburg,
walking all the way. He took the two
boys back with him, but the sister had
been bound to family named Garwood
and they would not give her up.
In 1886, John returned to look after
his sister, and found that she had been
married a short time before to a
Mr.. Spain. In 1889, Esli came out,
and the three surviving children
of the family were again united in Lo-
gan County. Mrs. Spain died at her
home, corner East Chillicothe and the
Ludlow, some three years ago, and the
two brothers are now with US, after a
long separation.
Esli, after many privations and back
sets, acquired property and became
leading citizen, being elected Commis-
sioner and Sheriff of the county.
John was man of superior business
qualifications, and indomitable energy,
and became one of the leading citizens
of the town, taking prominent part
in all public enterprises.
When the old Delaware Railroad was
projected, ne was one of the lending
spirits, and invested his capital in it,
Mr.. Powers was then large property
holder and business man in the town,
but though he lost so heavily, he was
not man to say give up. So he left
for Indiana, where, after numerous dis
appointments he got on his feet again
and once more secured competence of
this worlds goods.
AS characteristic of Mr.. Powers
firmness. determination and unselfsh-
ness, Judge West relates an incident of
the big fire, thai swept away most of
the business part of the town.
The fire was stopped in its sweep
down Main street at the three story
brick, occupied by Mr.. ANDY Gardner,
as a dry goods store. The building
that stood against it was occupied
then, as now, with drug store. Car
pets, rugs, and quilts had been hung
over the fire wall of the dry goods
store and spread upon its roof, and Mr..
Powers stood upon the roof, wetting
these as water was passed to him by a
bucket brigade, while the flames and
smoke from the burning drug store
nearly stifled him. People called to
him to quit his post or he would lose
his life, and Mr.. Gardner, the owner of
the store, called to him to get off the
roof, that the store was insured, and he
would lose his life. But the deter
mined man, without replying word,
stood at his post until all danger was
past, and the progress of the great fire
was stayed. So trying was his posi-
tion that his face was almost blistered,
and the skin all came off.
AS he appears today at 96, he is still
a man of striking and attractive physi-
ognomy, showing in his face strong
character and resolution. And though
four years will make him century
old, he has never used glasses. He is
now here visiting his brother, daugh-
ter, and other relatives-among the
latter being Mrs. Peter Dow, of Har-
rison township, niece, daughter of
his sister, Mrs. Spain.
He has met a number of those who
were here in business when he left,
and has renewed pleasant acquaint-
ances, but he finds the people and the
city grown out of his know ledge,