Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 765.
 
ANDREW W. POWERS

     came to Oregon in 1852, having been born in Sullivancounty, Missouri,
December 26, 1841.  His father, David Powers, was a native of New York, who
emigrated to Indiana and was there married to Miss Julia Ann Tuley, and they
located in Missouri and engaged in forming for a short time, and then moved to
Iowa, about 1848, and then, with the emigration of 1852, Mr. Powers joined his
interests with them, and with necessary supplies, together with his wife and
eight children he set out with an ox team, on that long and perilous journey
across the plains. This journey was very dangerous this year as the Indians were
very hostile and cholera prevailed. By using every precaution the journey was
safely accomplished, and the family arrived at Portland without losing a member.
Mr. Powers located 320 acres west of the town. The land was heavily timbered and
he had to cut his way out. Their first home was the proverbial log cabin, which
was subsequently replaced by a frame house, and there Mr. Powers resided and
farmed until his death, in 1863.  During the early days their only connection
with Portland was by a narrow trail, and all supplies were packed out or taken
up by rowboat or canoe. After the death of Mr. Powersthe place was sold and
the family removed toPortland. A full account of the remarkableexperiences of
the family would fill a large volume.
     The education of our subject was chiefly conducted by his mother around the
evening light, as his days wore occupied upon the farm. Uponremoving to
Portland, in 1862, Mr. Powers entered into partnership with W. H. Butts and they
established the Oregon meat market, which was sold out after one year, and our
subject began contracting about the city, until 1864, when he enlisted in
Company D, First Oregon Infantry, Captain William Powell and Colonel Currey in
command. They were sent to Idaho to quell the Indians and the campaign was very
active, until 1866, when the regiment was discharged.Mr. Powers then returned
to Oregon and engaged in the carpenter business, and in 1885 entered into
partnership with George W. Brown, in general contracting in brick and frame
building.   They were  the contractors of the Abington block and other business
properties, and for four years were among the leadingbusiness firms of the
city. In 1889 they closedtheir business and Mr. Powers engaged in real estate
business, handling their own propertyonly. He is also a shareholder in the
WheelerTrust Company, who own 2,100 acres of farmland, at Oakland, Oregon,
which they are sub-dividing into tracts of forty acres and selling asfruit
ranches.  He was married in Portland, in 1873, toMiss Melissa Brown, daughter
of G.W. Brown,a pioneer of 1854.  Mr. and Mrs. Powers havethree children:
Minnie M., George C. and Roy0.   Mr. Powers is a member of the GeorgeWright
Post, G. A. R. and the A. 0. U. W.and is a Republican in Polities. He resides
atNo. 605 Sixth street, in a beautiful home whichhe built in 1877, and has
since improved andenlarged.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.