Judge John C Power

POWER

Posted By: Pat Hemphill (email)
Date: 9/19/2012 at 09:33:51

JOHN C. POWER, PIONEER IN CITY, SUCCUMBS AT 85
Veteran Attorney and Distinguished Citizen Lived Here 70 Years.
BRILLIANT RECORD IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Gave Time and Efforts to Many Worthwhile Movements to Improve Town.

Death came to John C. Power, veteran attorney, shortly before 9 o'clock last night and in his passing Burlington lost one of its most patriotic and distinguished citizens a man who gave himself to the affairs of this city and the nation for the more than seventy years of his residence in this city. He was 85 years old.

Judge Power had been seriously ill for some time, but despite the fact that hundreds of his friends knew that the end was near, his death comes as a blow to them and the community which he so ably served and the monuments of good fellowship and community good will which he erected will keep his memory ever to the fore.

He had a brilliant record in the civil war and at its conclusion he was offered a major's commission: he served on the county and circuit benches and was an attorney of note. In the latter capacity he was president of the bar association and represented a local banking house for more than fifty years. He was instrumental in the organization of the Aspen Grove Cemetery association and served as president. He assisted in the organization of the Mathias Post and of the Burlington Y.M.C.A. and he took an active part in the formation and affairs of the old Commercial exchange.

Quiet spoken, a true gentleman of the highest ideals, who lived a life which might well be an example to the youth of today. Judge Power was beloved by all who knew him. He was generous and not only interested in his city and nation as a whole, but extended a helping hand to the individual wherever possible.

Many who are now themselves veterans of the bar in Burlington, think back to the time that Judge Power's counsel was of untold value to them. He was a prominent churchman keenly active in all affairs of religion-a deep thinker and a fine speaker.

With him at the time of his death was his son, Guy Power, Who has been a constant companion to his father, since his last serious illness and who has been close to him both in business and personal affairs. Judge Power's death was peaceful and occurred in his home at 104 North Woodland avenue.

John Clay Power was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio April 18 1841, the son of the Rev. John H. Power and Mary Power, both of Southern families of Irish descent, the family soon removing to Cincinnati. It was in that city that Judge Power passed his boyhood and attended the public schools. In 1856 a final move was made to Burlington.

After first reading medicine for a short time, Judge Power took up the study of law and was admitted to the Iowa bar at Burlington in 1863, the late Judge Tracy and Hon. Benton Hall, Sr., constituting the examining committee. In later years, Judge Power was himself a member of the committee which examined Judge James D. Smyth.

Largely instrumental in the recruiting of Company D, Eighth Iowa Calvary, he entered the service as a private, was mustered in as a second lieutenant, and was successively promoted to first lieutenant and then captain. Within two months after being mustered in the regiment was on the firing line and, either fighting, scouting or raiding, was never out of action until the close of the war, taking part in more than a score of battles, among them Resaca, Cassville, Burnt Hickory, Dallas, Alatoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta campaign, Nashville campaign, Wilson's attack on Macon, and Mississippi expedition, and Crockston's [Croxton] famous raid, culminating in the capture of Tuscaloosa.

While still lieutenant, acting as regimental adjutant, he was on several occasions in command of the regiment in action, once by the personal order of General McCook on the field. He would have captured Jefferson Davis but for an over-technical superior. Sent out in command of the escort to parole a body of rebel calvary, Captain Power was told by them that Davis was in hiding but a few hours ride away. He asked permission to take his company and attempt a capture, but the officer in command refused permission as exceeding his own orders. The next day Davis was captured at precisely the place indicated.

After Lee's surrender his brigade commander, General [Crockston], offered to secure him a major's commission in the regular service though he was but twenty-four years old.

After the close of the war he returned to Burlington and in 1866 married Miss Matilda A. Williams who preceded him in death. In to this union three children were born, George B. who died in infancy; Ethel W., who died in 1894 and Guy N. Power, surviving. Judge Power was elected county judge in 1865, which office he continued to fill until 1868, when he was elected circuit judge and served two terms in that office declining a third term to enter private practice.

Judge Power had three main interests in life, his home, his church and the conscientious service of his clients. He was fond of horses and a fearless horseman and in his younger days enjoyed shooting, fishing, boating and swimming, but duty came first with him and after early manhood he found little or no time for outdoor life.

He united with Old Zion, now merged in the First M.E. church, in boyhood and has worked untiringly in the cause ever since, never shirking a burden. He has been a member of the official board of the church continuously since the Old Zion days and president of the board of trustees for many years and up to his death. "He was a 24-hour Christian seven days in every week," said one of those who knew him best. The private charities of Mrs. Powers and himself were generous beyond their means and the needy clients whom he served, without asking or taking a fee, were numerous.

Both Matthies Post and the Burlington Y.M.C.A. were originally organized at meetings held in his office. For more than 30 years he has served on the board of Aspen Grove Cemetery and has been president of the board since the death of the late Mr. Hagemann. And the results of his work will continue in perpetuity for it was he who conceived the idea of a permanent fund, to provide for the perpetual care of the cemetery after all lots have been sold.

He was active in the old Commercial Exchange at an age when most men feel that the work of such organizations should be shifted to younger shoulders and, after various committees had endeavored to secure boulevard lights for Jefferson street and had failed in the attempt, he accepted the chairmanship and drove the matter to success.

As a young man of 34 he became counsel for the American Savings Bank & Trust Company when it was organized in 1875 as the German-American Savings Bank and he continued to serve in that capacity until his death, a period of 50 years. For many years he has been a member of the directorate and the executive committee and his foresight, sound judgment and safe counsel have had no small part in the building of Iowa's strong financial institutions.

Judge Power was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Matthies Post, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, officers of the civil war, the Greater Burlington Association and president of the Burlington Bar Association.

The Burlington Gazette, January 6, 1927