| A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa 1875 Biography of Simeon S. Powers |
| Honorable Simeon S.
Powers was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 7,
1836, where his early life was spent till the age of
nineteen in attending the common schools and working on a
farm, one year of which was spent in studying the higher
branches at the academy in Jamestown. In 1857 he
commenced the study of the law at Panama, New York, with
Hon. W.L. Sessions, member of Congress from the
Thirty-third District of New York from 1872 to 1875. In
1859 he entered the Law College at Cleveland, Ohio,
graduating therefrom in 1860. He then removed west, to
Kent's station, Indiana, from where he practiced law two
years, and in 1862 recruited a company for the military
service, but, on account of ill health was rejected by
the examining surgeon. In the Fall of 1862 he came to
Iowa, settling in Clayton County, where he worked on a
farm and taught school, with a view to the recovery of
his health, till 1870, when he removed to Postville and
opened a law office, since which his success has been
rapid and marked. Beginning with nothing, he has acquired
in a few years a larger business than he can well manage,
although his energies in his profession are untiring. Mr. Powers is now Mayor of the town of Postville and President of the Board of Education. He has taken an active interest in masonry, and is Master of Brotherly Love lodge No. 204. He was married January 2, 1859, to Miss Helen A. Farrand, of Panama, New York, and has three children. - transcribed by S. Ferrall |