Samuel S Powers

POWERS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/8/2010 at 17:11:44

Agricultural interests find a worthy representative in Samuel S Powers, who owns three valuable farms, one comprising 160 acres on section 18, Beaver township, while the second of 160 acres is part of the old home place on section 28, Amaqua township. His third property, upon which he now resides, is an excellent farm of 280 aces, lying on section 28 and 33, Amaqua township. This is one of the best improved places of the county and forms a most attractive feature in the landscape. Mr Powers well deserves the reputation which he ahs earned of being a leading farmer of this section of the state. He was born June 11, 1855 in Illinois, his parents being William and Susan (Cline) Powers, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Washington county, Maryland. The father was reared in Maryland and there learned the miller’s trade, which he followed through the period of his boyhood and early manhood. In 1854 he went to Illinois and purchased land in Carroll county, that state, and also in Ogle county. He improved his property and resided thereon until 1875, when eh came to Boone county and made investment in 560 acres in Amaqua township. This he also developed, bringing his fields to a high state of cultivation, and he continued to operate his land for a ling period. Finally, however, content with the success that he had already achieved, eh retired from active life and remove to Beaver, where he resided until the death of his wife in 1900. He afterward made him home among his children until his own demise, which occurred 1903. Mr and Mrs Powers were people of the highest respectability and enjoyed the warm regard and enduring friendship of many with whom they came in contact.
Samuel S Powers was reared and educated in Illinois and remained with his parents upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-six years. His boyhood was devoted to the acquirement of a pubic school education and to the work of the fields, for at an early age he began assisting his father in farm work. His training was of a practical kind, that brought him the experience that has constituted the broad and substantial foundation upon which he has built his later success. Leaving home at the age of twenty-six years, he purchased 280 aces of land on section 28 and 33, Amaqua township, and began the further development of the farm which is now his home. The result of his labors is seen in the excellent appearance of the place, for he has today one of the finest improved farms in the county. Laudable ambition has ever actuated him in his business career, and from time to time he has added to his holdings, which now include 164 aces on section 18, Beaver township, and a quarter section in Amaqua township, which is a part of the old homestead. He raises full blooded Chester White hogs and red polled Durham cattle, and his live stock interests are an important and profitable branch of his business.
In January, 1882, Mr Powers was united in marriage to Miss Susan K Gilbert, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hardnock) Gilbert, who were natives of Washington county, Maryland. The father went to Ogle county, Illinois at an early day and there engaged in farming, securing land which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away march 25, 1905, and his wife died on December 24, 1907. Mr and Mrs Powers had a family of six children: Albert L who died on December 7, 1884, Samuel A who is operating his father’s farm in Beaver township, Elmer G who is cultivating one of his father’s farms in in Amaqua township, and Walter W, Lizzie and Daniel I, all at home. In his political views Mr Powers is an earnest republican. He has never sought nor desired office, however, but has preferred to concentrate his energies uon business affairs. He ahs acted as school director in his township and the cause of education and of religion find in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Brethren church, of which he is treasurer, and he is president of the cemetery Association. He is regarded as a public spirited citizen, and his influence is always on the side of progress, reform and improvement.

1914 Boone County History Book