Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-15
Judge Powers Dies
at St. Petersburg,
Florida. Tuesday

Houlton, Feb. 14-Messagcs were
received here Tuesday night telling
of the death OF Frederick A. Powers
of this town, CORNER associate justice
of the supreme court of Maine, for
mer encouragement OF Maine and
for years one of the men most prom
inent in the republican politics Of the
commonwealth. He died at 1.25
Tuesday night at st. Petersburgh,
Fla, where he had been since last
fall.
His brother Llcwellyn Powers was
governor of Maine from 1896 to 1900.
Gov. Powers appointed Judge Jow-
ers to the supreme bench of the state
in 1899. as successor to the late JUS
tice Andrew p. Wiswell, who had
become chief justice on the retire
mcnt Of Chief Justice John A. Peters.
Judge Powers resigned from the
bench in 1907.
Judge Powers was born in Pitts
field, Nc, June 10, 1856, son OF Arba
and Naomi (Matthcws) Powers. He
was the youngest of eight sons. His
parents were among the pioneers OF
Pittsfield and began their married
life in log cabin, in which four or
their children were born, Including
Llewellyn.
Frederick attended the district
school in Pittsfeld. and prepared 1or
college at the Maine Central Insti =
tute, entering Bowdoin in 1871. All
or graduation from college he came
here and studied law in the office or
his brother, Llewellyn, who later
represented the fourth Maine dis
trict in the 4th Congress.
He was admitted to the bar IN
1876 and Immediately entered into
partnership with his brother under
the firm name of Powers & Powers.
In 1857 they were joined by another
brother. Don. A. II. Powers, with
whom, after tho retirement OF the
eldest brother, Judge Powers contin-
ued in practice. Their firm did one
of the largest law businesses in
eastern Maine and the brothers were
recognized as being leaders OF inc
Aroostook county bar.
A republican in politics. fredciick
A. Powers from the beginning OF ms
residence here, was prominently &C
tive in local politics. He was made
III member of the state committee at
the age of 81 and continued in that
position for six years. lie was
elected to the House of Representa-
tiyes of the state Legislature IN
1885 and served on the judiciary
committee. Among his political acts
that wear was the presentation 10 a
Joint caucus of the name of Edwin
G.. Burleigh as candidate for state
treasurer. :
He was reelected to the House IN
1887 and was made House chairman
of the judiciary committee. He was
prominently associated with the pas
sage of the 1o-hour law and other
important measures. 900 A.
He was district delegate in 1883 70
the, republican rational convention
at Chicago that nominated Bcnla :
min Harrison. and served on the
committee on credentials. In that
wear also he made the nominating
speech placing the name OF Governor
Burleigh before the State republican
convention, at Portland.
Two years later he presided over
the convention that renomlnateu
Gov. Rurleigh. at Augusta. the 1all
OF that year he was elected to the
state Senate from his county. He
was chosen Acknowledgement IN lSa5
and was twice reelected.
He has been twice married. IN
1879 he married Miss Nav Hussey OF
Houlton. who died in 1901. and his
second wife was Miss Virginia Fl
Hewos of Danforth; Me, who sur
wives him. and who has spent me
last three months in the South with
him in his quest for health.
He leaves. two. sons. Ilewel!yn ~
Powers. and State Senator raul n
Powers, both of Houlton. Ralph ~
Powers of Brookline, Mass, is
nephew.
Judge Powers derived large in
come from his law business. and
likewise was one of the largest tim
bertrand owners in Maine.