SETH H. POWERS was born
at Long Point, Canada, June 26, 1843. He is the son of Richard
Powers, a farmer and stock-dealer of Vermont. His mother's maiden
name was Phoebe Howard, a native of Canada.
His parents died when
he was very young, and he then came to the United States and was
educated in Ohio and New York. He served a long apprenticeship at
the blacksmithing and machinist trade in Buffalo, New York, and has
since followed that business in various States of the Union without
interruption, except during the time he was in military service
during the Civil War.
He enlisted in May,
1861, in Company B, Eighteenth Infantry Illinois Volunteers, and
served under the stars and stripes during three years of strife. He
participated in the engagements at Belmont, Port Henry,
Fort Donaldson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg, and numerous
skirmishes. He was discharged at Arkansas Post in 1864.
After the return of
peace he resumed his trade and worked at it with excellent success
in Kentucky and various points since. He spent some time in St.
Louis and also in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He came to Jamesport on
the first day of May, 1880, and formed a partnership with Mr. J. H.
Higdon, and they have since conducted the carriage, wagon, and farm
implement manufacturing business under the firm name of Powers &
Higdon.
Mr. Powers was married
at Camp Point, Illinois, October 29, 1865, to Miss Anna, daughter of
Robert Crawford, a native of Missouri. Mrs. Powers was born in
Livingston county, Missouri, in the month of February, 1843. They
have five children now living: Richard C., Lizzie, Robert, Kate and
Charlie.
Both Mr. Powers and his
estimable lady are members of the Christian Church, and he is also a
member of the orders of A. F. & A. M., A. O. U. W., and I. O. O.
F. at Jamesport. In politics he is a stalwart Republican.
Mr. Powers is a
practical machinist of many years experience, and the large and
remunerative business which the firm have built up attests the
thoroughness and excellence of their work.