James H. Powers, the present Sheriff of Jay County, is
a native of Jay County, Indiana, born in Jefferson Township March 23, 1855,
his father, Abraham Powers, being one of the pioneers of that township. He
was reared in his native township, his young being spent in assisting his
father on the farm and in attending the public schools, where he received a
fair common school education and for a time was engaged in teaching. For six
years, he was station agent at Powers, Indiana, where he carried on a
grocery in connection with his office as station agent. In 1886, he was the
Republican nominee for Sheriff, as successor to C. C. Wingate, who had
served four years in that capacity and his popularity is indicated by the
fact that he was elected by a majority of 110 votes over his Democratic
opponent A. T. Lynch.
Powers is an active and public
spirited citizen, and is always interested in any enterprise which as for
its object the advance of his town or county. He was married to Miss Laura
A. Franklin, a daughter of Samuel Franklin of Randolph County, Indiana and
they are the parents of two children – Sabina and an infant son yet unnamed.
Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, IN
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
Transcribed by Margie Pearce
Buried in Hillcrest Cemetery