Representative Thomas Edwin Powers View All Years

HON. THOMAS EDWIN POWERS

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare memorial resolutions commemorating the life, character and public services of the Honorable T. E. Powers, a former member of the General Assembly of Iowa, begs leave to report the following:

Thomas Edwin Powers was bron in Clarinda, Page county, Iowa, on November 29, 1857, and received his elementary education in the Clarinda schools, graduating in one of the earliest classes of the Clarinda high school. Later he entered the Missouri Medical College, now the Medical College of Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated therefrom on March 4, 1881. Dr. Powers started the practice of his profession at St. Louis, Missouri, immediately after his graduation but practiced there for only a short time, and returned to his native city because of the illness of his father, and from that time on had been a resident of Clarinda, Iowa, and one of its prominent citizens and physicians. He was assistant superintendent of the Clarinda State Hospital for the Insane from 1891 to 1893, at which time the present superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Max E. Wittee, and Dr. Powers formed bonds of affectionate friendship that continued on down through the years.

Dr. Powers was married to Miss Anna Peterson, then a teacher in the Clarinda high schools, on May 25, 1882, and she survives him.

In the year 1897, Dr. Powers became affiliated with the Masonic lodge and became an active and esteemed member of the lodge; served four years as Master of the Nodaway Lodge of Clarinda, Iowa, and for a number of years immediately preceding his death he served in the position of district lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A. F. & A. M.

He was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives of this state in 1922 and reelected in 1924, serving in the two regular sessions and in the special session in 1924. During the years 1926-1927, Dr. Powers was president of the Iowa State Medical Association and in 1928 was appointed to the State Board of Health by Governor Hammill.

Dr. Powers died at his home where he had resided since he was seven years of age, on February 14, 1929, and was buried at Clarinda, Iowa, February 17, 1929.

In recognition of his valued services to the state of Iowa throughout his long career and as an expression of our appreciation of his exemplary life and character,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-third General Assembly, That in the passing of the Honorable T. E. Powers the state has lost an honored and valued citizen, a man of high ideals and sterling character, one who was faithful in every public and private trust, and a friend to all.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy of the same to Mrs. Powers who now resides at Clarinda, Iowa.

LENUS HAGGLUND,

L. O. CLARK,

HOMER HUSH,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929.