Fergus County argus., 1901-02-13
JOHN W. POWER DEAD.
The Prominent Montanian Succumbs at Ills
Fort Benton Home Sunday Morning.

Sunday morning announcing thu
death at Fort Benton OF John w
Power, who had been i'll for sever
weeks with typhoid fever and whose
death had been expected for some
days. 1t is understood the remains
will be sent to st. Louis and be in.
tered at the side OF those OF his wife
who died thirteen years ago.
Mr.. Power had been iormany years
identified with Fergus county inter.
ests. He was a stockholder In the
Power Mercantile Co., Of which his
brother was the leading owner. and
also president Of the Montana Hard
ware Company. Immediately on re-
ceipt Of the news both Of these houses
were appropriately draped and cur
tains drawn.
OfMr. Powers career the following
appeared in the Great Falls Tribune:
John w. Power was born In Du-
buque. Iowa. April 6, 1874, being the
second child of Mr.. and Mrs. Michael
Power. He was educatedin I'm the pub
lie schools and at Sinsinawa Mound
college, In Wisconsin. June IL, 1861,
he Joined his older brother, Thomas
C. Power, at Fort Benton, having
come up the Missouri by steamboat
from Sioux City with stock OF gen.
eral merchandise. In 1871 he formed
partnership with his brother, which
has ever since continued, and the firm
had soon established IL houses in
Montana and two in Canada, trading
with the Indians and doing anexten-
sive business, their purchases OF buf-
falo robes In 1879 amounting to &c, 600.
After the destruction of the buffalo
the firm began to do n general mer-
camille business. In 1879 Mr.. Power
became one Of the organizers Of the
First National bank oi Fort Benton
and I'm 1857 OF the Stockmen's National
bank of Fort Benton, Of which he
was always president. He was also
one OF the organizers of the American
National bank OF Helena, the Bank
of Fergus County and the Bismarck
bank Of North Dakota. He also be-
came interested in mining, cattle and
sheep, real estate and various mer-
camille enterprises, and prior to the
building of the Great Northern he
was interested in one of the principal
lines OF steamers on the Missouri be-
tween Fort Benton and st. Louis.
Mr.. Power was married in lSS3 to
Miss Nellie 4. Kelly, n native OF st.
Louis. Five years later, seven days
after the birth OF their first child, heI
death occurred. The child, John
Merlin Power, has made his home
with relatives in Helena for tho
greater part OF the time, Mr.. Power
not having REMARKED.
In politics Mr.. Power had always
Seen a Republican. In 1880 he wa'
elected senator FROM ChOteau county
and served for two full terms Of foul
years each.
He was n member Of the Roman
Catholic church and very active
and liberal in his support OF THAI
organization.
Mr. Power formerly spent nearly
all his time in Fort Benton, but o
late years he has been compelled Il
travel a great deal for the benefit o
his health. he having been afflicted
for few years with u cancerou'
affection ul the face. About the frs
of last month he was taken i'll will
typhoid fever at his home In For
Benton AMI the attack soon PROVED
to he very severe. His brother
former United States Senator 7. c
Power OF Helena, and Helena ply
sician, were summoned to his bedside
goirg by special train, and all tha
could be done was done to save hi
life, but for several days II had beer
realized that his condition was ex
tremely crltlcaland that death woulc
probably DO the termination Of hi
Illness.
Despite his extensive interests Il
various parts OF the state, Mr.. PowC
did not have extensive personal nc
quaintance, although widely know
by reputation. He was an unnssunI
ing, reserved and very modest ms
and had few intimate friends, but Ii
wasalways approachahle, kindlSan
genial, and those who knew him we
admired and loved him greatly.
Besides his young son Mr.. Powe
leaves Il brother, ex-senator L. I
Power, and two sisters, Mrs. Marti
and Miss Power, all OF Helena.
Evidently in Bad 0dor.