Seth H. Powers was born at Long Point, Canada, June 26, 1843. He is the son of Richard Powers, a farmer and stock-dealer of Vermont. His mother’s maiden name was Phoebe Howard, a native of Canada. His parents died when he was very young, and he then came to the United States and was educated in Ohio and New York. He served a long apprenticeship at the blacksmithing and machinist trade in Buffalo, New York, and has since followed that business in various States of the Union without interruption, except during the time he was in military service during the Civil War. He enlisted in May, 1861, in Company B. Eighteenth Infantry Illinois Volunteers, and served under the stars and stripes during three years of strife. He participated in the engagements at Belmont, Port Henry, Fort Donaldson, Pitts-burg Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg, and numerous skirmishes. He was discharged at Arkansas Post in 1864.
After the return of peace he resumed his trade and worked at it with excellent success in Kentucky and various points since. He spent some time in St. Louis and also in St. Joseph, Missouri. He came to Jamesport on the first day of May, 1880, and formed a partnership with Mr. J. H. Higdon, and they have since conducted the carriage, wagon, and farm implement manufacturing business under the firm name of Powers & Higdon.
Mr. Powers was married at Camp Point, Illinois, October 29, 1865, to Miss Anna, daughter of Robert Crawford, a native of Missouri. Mrs. Powers was born in Livingston county, Missouri, in the month of February, 1843. They have five children now living: Richard C., Lizzie, Robert, Kate and Charlie. Both Mr. Powers and his estimable lady are members of the Christian Church, and he is also a member of the orders of A. F. & A. M., A. O. U. W., and I. O. O. F. at Jamesport. In politics he is a stalwart Republican. Mr. Powers is a practical machinist of many years experience, and the large and remunerative business which the firm have built up attests the thoroughness and excellence of their work.