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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 105 - 106 |
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PERRY F. POWERS
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Not only in the field of newspaper enterprises has Hon. Perry F. Powers attained high prestige, but also he has gained precedence in connection with the political affairs of the state of Michigan, being at the present time incumbent of the office of auditor general of the commonwealth. Effective service in the cause of the Republican party, no less than recognized eligibility, led to his being chosen to this important preferment. Perry F. Powers is a native of that state of which Senator Chauncey M. Depew spoke in the following pertinent metaphase. "Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some are born in Ohio." He was born in the town of Jackson, Jackson county, Ohio, on the 5th of September, 1858, being a son of Pierce and Sarah C. Powers. Pierce Powers, who was also more familiarly known as Perry, was identified with the ironmanufacturing industry in southern Ohio up to the time of the Civil war, when he entered the service of the Union. He received injuries which were of such severity as to result in his death, and upon the subject of this review, who was the eldest of four children-three sons and one daughter naturally devolved much of the responsibility in the maintenance of the family, his mother surviving until October, 1902, when she passed away at the age of seventy-three years. The subject was thrown largely upon his own resources from his youth, but managed to complete a partial course in the high school. It may be said, however, that Mr. Powers has gained his education through personal application and through active and intimate association with men and affairs, while in this connection we may consonantly revert to the statement made by an able writer to the effect that the discipline of a newspaper office is equivalent to a liberal education. He was inducted into the mysteries of the "art preservative of all arts" in a printing office in his native town, and in 1879 he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he secured a position as compositor in a newspaper office. In 1883 he located in Cambridge, Illinois, where he became associated with George C. Smithe in the publication of a weekly paper, the Chronicle. In 1885 he came to Ypsilanti, Michigan, and there continued in partnership with Mr. Smithe in the publication of the Ypsilantian, which they made one of the representative papers of the state. In 1887 Mr. Powers came to Cadillac, to become editor and publisher of the News and Express, representing a consolidation of the Cadillac News, which had its inception in 1872, and the Express, which was established in 1885. Concerning his newspaper career in Cadillac we can not do better than to quote from an article which appeared in the trade paper issued by the Chicago Newspaper Union, apropos of his efforts and standing: "Among the makers of Michigan newspapers none is better or more favorably known than Perry F. Powers, of Cadillac, and his paper, the News and Express, is a model weekly, printed with modern equipment and issued from a model home of its own. The paper was born of a consolidation. The Cadillac News was established in 1872, while yet the greater part of the present site of the city (then known as Clam Lake) was covered with pine trees, and the Express was established in 1885. The two were consolidated in 1887, about the time Mr. Powers acquired ownership of the business. Since then his chief ambition has always been to make the News and Express the best edited country paper in Michigan. He never permits any hurry or rush to prevent the preparation each week of from two to three columns of original editorial, and the political editorials of the News and Express are, perhaps, more widely copied and quoted than those of any other local paper in the state. Neither is time nor effort spared in making the report of local affairs complete, and the accounts of home happenings are always prepared in the most readable and entertaining manner. Powers is untiring and is constantly striving in every way to advance the interests of his town, to add to home pride, helpfulness and contentment and to make his own people, as well as the world outside, think that Cadillac is the best city in the universe. This line of action, long continued, has made the News and Express a profitable property and an influential newspaper. Young Powers was compelled to begin work at a very early age, to assist in the support of a widowed mother with a family of three other children. His life has been one of hard study and hard work. During his residence in Michigan he has been twice nominated and elected a member of the Michigan state board of education, was president of the board four years, having been first elected a member of the board in 1888 and re-elected in 1894. For several years he has been a member of the Cadillac city school board, and is very prominent in both local and state educational circles. He has served one term as president of the State Press Association, two terms as president of the Michigan Republican Press Association, and two terms as president of the State League of Republican Clubs. He does considerable campaign work on the stump, under the auspices of the Republican state central committee, and makes many addresses each year on educational and kindred topics." It may be consistently said that the Republican party has in Michigan no more loyal and stanch a supporter than Mr. Powers, and both through his able editorials and his efforts as a public speaker he has done much to advance the party cause. He is a man of broad and exact information, a careful student of the questions and issues of the hour and ever amply fortified in his convictions, being a distinct individual and one who has so ordered his course at all times as to retain the respect and confidence of all who know him and have cognizance of his sterling qualities. The party to which his allegiance has been thus unequivocally given placed him in nomination for the office of auditor general of the state in 1900, and he was elected by a gratifying majority, while his administration has been one reflecting credit upon himself and the commonwealth. While the duties of his office demand his residence in the capital city of the state, Lansing, he still retains the general supervision of his newspaper, dictating its policy and remaining inflexibly loyal to his home city of Cadillac. The News and Express is staunchly Republican in politics and has the largest circulation of all papers in Wexford county. The office is modern and model in its equipment, the letter press being of the highest standard, while the job department has the best of facilities. Were all local offices and papers as ably conducted, so called "country journalism" would be a title of distinction. On the 29th of January, 1889, Mr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Jessie R. Warren, who was born in Monroe county, being a daughter of Cyrus A. and Celestia D. Warren, and of this union have been born two sons, Warren and Perry F., Jr. |