Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 912. IRA F. POWERS Among the successful business men of Portland none are more highly respected than Mr. Ira F. Powers, who was born at Au Sable Forks, Clinton county, New York, in 1831. His ancestry in England can be traced back in direct line to the twelfth century. The American branch was first known at Littleton, Massachusetts, in 1613, by the name of Power, from them descended four sons, who in 1683 added the "s" to the name. Levi Powers, the father of our subject, passed his early life in Vermont, engaged in a sawmill, and subsequently emigrated to Ballston, New York, and followed the same line of business and was there married to Miss Mary Frost, and the union was blessed with several children. The parents lived to extreme old age and died amidst their children. The education of Ira F. Powers has been chiefly acquired from the school of experience. At the age of twelve years he struck out in life and from that date has earned his own support. He followed farming up to the are of eighteen years, but being of a mechanical mind he then entered an iron manufactory and began to learn that trade. Before the first year had passed he showed such talent that his wages were raised to $1.50 a day, but even that was declined, as the heat of the furnace and the hard work made the place unsatisfactory. He then returned to fanning, which he followed until the fall of 1851 when, with a few friends, he decided to come to California. To that end he forwarded money to New York for the purchase of tickets, but upon his arrival in New York about December 15, prices had advanced for through tickets and the money advanced was insufficient and returned. Our subject then purchased a ticket for $160 by the bark ãKrimlan" with 150 passengers to sail around the Horn. This was finally accomplished, and though the company was the amalgamation of all countries it was an orderly crowd, and with plenty of water and supplies the trip was a comfortable one. They landed in San Francisco August 5, 1852. Mr. Powers had little faith in mining still, with his friends, he went to the mines in Placer county and with just enough success to continue experimenting, which was the way with all miners. He visited the several mining localities of California and Idaho, and stuck to it for thirteen years. He then cried a halt and quit the business, against the desires of his friends. He declared that he would not raise another shovel of dirt. He then came to Portland in the spring of 1865, and with A. Burchard engaged in the second-hand furniture business, which was continued with great profit until the great fire of 1873, when they were burned out and nearly everything was destroyed. They saved about $5,000 each from the wreck. Mr. Powers then started in business alone in the same line, which he followed until 1891, when he sold out because of incompetent help to manage the store while other duties demanded his attention. In 1874 Mr. Powers engaged in the manufacture of furniture, the firm of Donly, Beard & Powers being formed, with a factory at Willsburg, which continued about two years. Mr. Powers then sold his interest and started a factory on the corner of Front and Madison streets, and With about twenty hands manufactured all varieties of furniture. With the growth of the city and increasing land values and rentals, about 1879, Mr. Powers saw that the best thing would be to buy property, and he purchased block 104 on Water street, at the foot of Montgomery, and there built a very complete factory. Here he continued with great success until 1884, when his factory was set on fire and completely destroyed, causing a loss of $50,000. In 1887 he sold the block for railroad purposes and purchased three acres in South Portland and there erected a more complete factory, the buildings covering nearly every part of the ground, with saw and planing mills, enabling him to purchase his lumber in the log, which passes through his own mills and comes out in the complete furniture ready for market. A force of seventy-five hands are constantly employed, and his salesrooms are located on First street, where he occupies a three-story building, and conducts a wholesale and retail business. Mr. Powers was married at La Porte, California, in 1860 to Miss Minnie Wilson, who died in 1864, leaving one son, Frederick. Our subject re-married in 1870 to Miss Mary Selcin who, after five years, passed away, leaving one son, who was named Ira F., Jr. The latter was married October 6, 1891, to Miss Mabel Jamison of Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Powers is a Knight Templar, F. & A. M., and a charter member of Pilot Peak Lodge, I. O. 0.F. He was one of the builders of the Morrison street bridge, which was commenced in 1879, and was also a stockholder and builder of the Madison street bridge. He was one of the organizers of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, which subsequently changed to the Oregon National Bank. As a philanthropic act Mr. Powers worked up the organization incorporated as the "Boys and Girls' Aid Society" and is still one of the zealous workers of the institution, which has been signally beneficial in reclaiming young children and caring for them until suitable homes can be provided for them. The home now contains about twenty children, who are orphans, neglected and destitute. A noble and praiseworthy charity. As a business man Mr. Powers has been a success, and this is a reward of honesty, integrity and persevering labor, and as an enterprising citizen he commands the respect of all who know him. ******************* 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.