Pvt. Thomas H. Powers

Pvt. Thomas H. Powers

   Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as a Laborer for J. Tefft.

       From the Adjutant Generals Report for the State of Illinois

Co. G        127th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Elgin Sharpshooters

   Mustered In Nov. 8, 1863.
   Home of record listed as Chicago, Ill's.
   Issued .577 1857 P-53 Enfield rifled musket.
   Mustered Out June 5, 1865 at Ft. Slocum in Washington, DC.
Known actions;
Resaca, Ga.                 May 13, 1864
Conasine Creek, Ga.        May 14, 1864
Dallas Hills, Ga.         May 26, 1864
Kennesaw Mt., Ga.    June 27, 1864
Peach Tree Creek, Ga.     July 20, 1864
Atlanta, Ga.                Aug. 13, 1864
Jonesboro, Ga.           Aug. 31, 1864
Marietta, Ga.              Sept. 15, 1864


   Elgin Registered Voter in 1866.

       From the Database of Illinois Veterans Index
Soldier – Pvt. Thomas Powers

Unit – Co. C       141^st Ill. Vol. Inft.

Height – 5’   8”

Eyes – Gray

Complexion – Light

Marital Status – Single

Occupation – Farmer

Born – About 1846 in Ireland

Service Entry Age – 18 Years

Service Entry Date – May 18, 1864

Service Entry Place – Elgin, Ill.

Joined by Whom – Samuel H. Hunter

Period – 100 Days

Muster In Date – June 16, 1864

Muster In Place – Camp Kane, Ill.       (Elgin, Ill.)

Muster Out Date – Oct. 10, 1864

Muster Out Place – Chicago, Ill.

Mustered Out by Whom – Lt. Horr

Residence – Rutland, Kane Co., Ill.

Record Source – Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptifve Rolls

       From the 1870 Census #237/339

Name – Thomas Powers

Aged – 23 Years

Born – About 1847 in Ireland

Home in 1870 – Rutland, Kane Co., Ill.thth

Race – White

Post Office – Gilbert Station

       Excerpt from the May 11, 1878 issue of The Elgin Advocate

       A petition, signed by nearly all the busness men on the west side, and many of the prominent citizens, asking to have Thomas Powers reinstated as night policeman, was read.

       Ald. Westerman asked the Mayor if he had any charges against Thomas Powers.

       The mayor said he had none, but had set him aside.

       Excerpts from the July 6, 1878 issue of The Elgin Advocate

       The following bills were allowed and orders drawn on the general fund: Join Powers, marshal, $50: Thos Powers , $45.

       The reasons for the removal of Thos. Powers were, that he was non-comunicative and brutal, having refused to give information and assistance to ladies who arrived at night at the west side depot.

       From the July 6, 1878 issue of The Elgin Advocate

       Mayor Reeves charges Policeman Thos. Powers with refusing to give a lady, who got off the midnight train at the west side depot, lately, information and she was compeled, to remain there all night by reason thereof.   Now see what it amounts to;   The lady in question could not speak English, and although powers made efforts to ascertain her wishes, he was unable to do so, and she was not apparently anxious to and any place or person, and chose to remain in the depot until morning.

       Excerpts from the July 20, 1878 issue of The Elgin  Advocate

       The special committee to whom was referred the mayor’s charges against Policeman Thomas Powers, reported as follows:

To the City Council of the City of Elgin:

       GENTLEMEN – The special committee to whom was referred the communication of the mayor, giving his reasons for the removal of Thomas Powers from the office of the night policeman, to investigate and report, would respectfully submit:

       As to the first charge, vis: “that Mr. Powers is not adapted by nature for the position,” we would say, that having succeeded while on duty to gain and hold the confidence of the residents and business men of the west side, as shown by the petition to this body, upon his first removal, is to your committee a good and sufficient refutation of the charge.

       Upon the second “that he refuses to give passengers arriving at night, information, etc.,” we believe this to be wholly unfounded and unjust.   We find many cases where he has aided and assisted strangers and ladies giving all assistance tin his power; and we have no doubt from the evidence before us, that he did the same in the case of the young lady mentioned.   When he found he could not understand her, he immediately procured the assistance of persons at hand who could speak German, to ascertain where she wished to go, and when he learned her destination was in the country, he offered to show her to a hotel with another lady who arrived upon the same train, but for some reason she chose to remain at the depot.   There were two young men, one an employe who remained at the office during the night, and the depot was unlocked.

       Your committee do not deem the resons sufficient for the removal of Mr. Powers, and therefore disapprove the same and recommend that he be restored.

                      J. A. Coburn,

                     Thomas Stewart,

      D.  Dickinson,

                      Special Committee.

Elgin, July 8, 1878.

       Ald. Foster moved to receive ant adopt the report.

       The mayor directed the roll to be called, and all the aldermen present, seven, voter aye, and the report was adopted.

       Ald. Foster moved that Thomas Powers be reinstated as night policeman.

       The mayor said he did not wish it to be understood that he appointed him.   The action of the council took the responsibility from him.   He would put the motion.

       Ald. KIzer said the committee who investigated the charges, could find nothing against Powers, and it would not be treating the committee fairly if he was not reinstated.

       The roll was called on the motion to reinstate Powers and all the aldermen present, Eight, voted aye, and the motion was carried.

       From the Illinois Select Death Index

Name – Thomas Powers

Birth Year – About 1846

Aged – 32 Years

Died – Feb. 18, 1878 in Rutland, Kane Co., Ill.

   Elgin's west side night Policeman.

       From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll
Soldier - Thomas H. Powers
Unit - Co. G       127th Ill. Inf.
Died - April 18, 1887
Interred at - St. Mary's Cemetery in Rutland Township, Hampshire, Kane Co., Ill.
Location - Grave #2

Brother of John.