At exactly 7 o'clock last evening, Captain John P. Powers passed peacefully away at his home, No. 721 West Market Street surrounded by his wife and eleven children. Capt. Powers had been ill only 6 days, pneumonia being the root of his sickness.All day yesterday he was reported very low and his end was expected at any moment. His death was peaceful and his last moments were gladdened by the presence of all whom he held dearly.Captain Powers' death removes another of the men, who has helped in a great degree to make local history. He was a man who commanded the love and respect of the whole community. He was the friend of progress and always took an active part in public matters. He was the virtual head of the Pottsville Fire Department and to him was due no small degree its present high standards of efficiency.
The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be made in No. 2 cemetery.
John P. Powers was 67 years old on the 28th of last December and he has been a resident of Pottsville ever since he was 12 years old. For fifty three years he has been closely identified with our interests. He was a true patriot, a brave soldier and one of the most energetic workers in all good causes.
He was born in Waterford, Ireland and spent part of his childhood in Montreal, Canada and Towanda Pa. In 1840 he came to Pottsville and with his brothers Lawrence, Nicholas and Patrick worked a wheelwright shop where the West End Brewery now stands. He afterwards became a patternmaker at Snyder's Iron Works, and held a similar position at the same shops ever since the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company has been in charge. His family at present consists of his wife, who is a sister of Thomas Wren, and the following children: William J. and John, of Philadelphia; Nicholas, Joseph, Thomas P., George and Robert and Misses Jane, Emma, Clara and Mrs. Ellen Fernsler, all of Pottsville. His brothers Lawrence and Nicholas, now reside in Philadelphia and Patrick lives at Wilmington Delaware. They were all at his bedside when death came.
Capt. Powers was one of the organizers of the Hydraulian Company, now the Phoenix Fire Company, and his military career began when the Union Guards were formed from the Hydraulian April 17, 1861. He was president of that meeting, and was made First Lieutenant. Joseph Anthony was made Captain. This company became Co I, 16th Regiment, Pa Vols with Col. Ziegel. After the three months service, he became a member of the Co F, 96th Regiment. Capt Powers was also first lieutenant of a company of emergency men encamped at Reading.
In politics Captain Powers was an active Democrat, though he was always an honorable partisan. In 1878 he was appointed to fill County Commissioner Patrick Collin's unexpired term, and in 1887 was appointed court crier, a position he filled most acceptably for two years. As stated before, he was one of the leaders and champions of the Pottsville Fire Department. He always held high office in his own company, and has represented it in the Board of Fire Trustees and ever since that body was created has been its President. Captain Powers was a man, who was always looked up to for advice and counsel, and he will be greatly missed by the firemen, who were all his friends and warm supporters.
Members of the Gowen Post, GAR came together this morning and have resolved to give their fellow member a military funeral. The military organizations, Pottsville Cadets and the Third Brigade band have been invited to be present, and no doubt will accept the invitation. Capt Powers made a request that he be buried in his uniform, which will be done. The Emeralds, the Phoenix Fire Co. and the Department generally will be present in large numbers at the funeral.