The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-08-19
ANOTHER OF THE POWERS FAM.
lily CALLED HOME
The Life of Judge Gorham Powers
Who Recently Died in Minnesota.
Married In Skow hogan

Judge Gorham Powers, who recent
| ly died in Minnesota is another of an
illustrious Maine family, who has
been called home. The Granite Falls
Journal gives an excellent account of
his liftime career and portion of
this splendid article we publish here
with:
On Thursday evening, April Is, at
6.15 o'clock at his home in this city,
occurred the death of Judge Gorham
Powers. Although the Judge had
been i'll over year and there seem
ingly was little chance of his recov-
cry, nevertheless the news of his de-
parture came as shock and the loss
of an illuStrious citizen cast a gloom
upon this community.
Judge Powers was seventy-four
years of age. He was a native of
the State of Maine, having been born
at Pittsfeld, Sept. H. 1910. His
father was of Irish descent and his
mother was English His ancestry
on both sides dated back prior to the
Revolution. He grew up on a farm
among a family of ten children, eight
boys and two girls.
Six of the eight brothers became
+ lawyers and some noted statesmen
His Oldest brother Llewellyn served
as governor of Maine four years and
was a member of Congress at the
time of his death. Two other de-
ceased brothers, Cyrus and Cassius
were lawyers in Boston. The broth
ers living are Don A. H. and Fred
erick A, both lawyers at Houton,
Maine, the latter serving his state
four years as attorney general; Amos
of Oakland. Calf. and Sceya who re-
sides on the old homestead at Pitts
field, Maine. His two sisters Hor-
tense and Loantha died early in life
In his youth he received a good ed
ucation. He was educated at Hart
land Academy Maine and completed
course in the Albany Law School
of New York. This added to his ma
tive ability placed him in the front
rank of men affairs.
After having completed his educa-
ton, instead of entering upon his
chosen profession he heard his eoun-
try's call to serve in another capac-
ity On Feb. 4, 1862 he enlisted in
the Fourth Maine Battery and was in
active service during the Civil War
for period of over three years, hav-
ing been mustered out at Louisville
/ Ky, Oct. 5, 1865. He was sergeant
/ in the Battery. His meritorious con-
duct won for him recognition and in
! 1864 he was commissioned by Presi-
dent Lincoln as lieutenant in the
Thirteenth United States Colored
! Heavy ARTILLERY. He took part in
: many important engagements.
4 After the war he heard the call of
i the west and he came to Minneapolis
i in 1866, and was admitted to the bar
and began the practice of law. Rural
/ life had, however, a fascination for
| him and he decided to become a pio-
neer in a new country. Thus he
came to yellow Medicine Co. in the
! fall of 1868, locating in the then yell
/ low Medicine City. He pre-emptied
100 acres of land in Sioux Agency
| township and bought another tract of
the same size. Here he began the
practice of law and when the county
was organized he became its first
county attorney and served continu-
ously for three terms. Some years
later he was again elected as county
attorney and served two terms. When
the county seat was moved to Granite
Falls in 1874 Mr.. Powers also moved
to the new county seat. continuing
his practice of law. In 1878 the
constituents of the district honored
him by electing him to the state leg
islature.
In 1890 he was appointed by Gov
Merriam as judge of the Twelve Judi
cial District. He was reelected to
4 a. ,,,iY
out opposition Thus he served in
this capacity nearly rs years. Be-
cause of i'll health at his request I'M
der the law he was retired by Cover
nor Hammond in February of the
present year.
In 1865 Judge Powers was married
in Maine to Addie NJ. Ireland. who
died In 1880. From this union there
are two children. a son Edward. liy-
] ing at Monteyideo and daughter
Mantle A. who is teaching in the
schools of the same city. In 1882 he
was again married at Skowhegan,
Maine. TO Nettie NJ. Sanford. To this
union four children were born. Arba
J. Powers living at White Earth. a
lawyer in the employ of the govern
ment as an Inheritance examiner on
the White Earth Indian Reservation;
Mary. teacher in the schools at
Renville. Mrs. Evelyn Hall and jean
cite. who are living with their parents
in this city.
Judge Powers was considered one
OF the most capable jursts In the
statei
/ This city vii greatly miss the
Judge and his influence However,
We Will look upon his lie as an In
SEPARATION and W win cndcayor MS to
emulate his example OF a useful life.
To the bercatod wife aud children
We extend our heartfelt sympathy,