This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RMunns7272 Surnames: Powers, Harris, Knight Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.lacrosse/2285/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, 1881", p. 784 - 785. City of La Crosse W. P. POWERS, son of David J. and Eliza A. (Harris) Powers, was born in Whitewater, Wis., Nov. 8, 1842. His father, who is well known in Wisconsin as an early pioneer of the State, built the first frame building in Whitewater, in which he kept hotel; he subsequently laid out the village of Palmyra, Wis., and there built the first saw and grist mill. Afterward he became a member of the State Legislature from Jefferson County; editor of the "Wisconsin Farmer"; Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, and President of the Madison Mutual Insurance Company, and is now President of the Union Wire Mattress Company, of Chicago, Ill. W. P. Powers, the subject of this sketch, removed with his parents to Palmyra, Wis., in the fall of 1842, and remained there until 1850, when he went to Waukesha. In 1852, returned to Palmyra, and, during this year, his father was elected to the Legislature. In the spring of 1853, he removed to Madison where he received his education, having graduate! d from the State University as a member of the class of 1860. He served two years in the war of the rebellion. He enlisted at Madison and was mustered in as a member of Company A, 1st Wisconsin heavy artillery. In the fall of 1863, he was promoted to First Lieutenant of the 4th Wisconsin Light Battery, and served with them in the Army of the Potomac, and commanded the battery at the siege of Vicksburg during the summer of 1864. His health having failed him, he resigned in November, 1864, and returned home to Madison. He engaged in the agricultural machinery business at Madison, which he continued until 1867, when he came to La Crosse and established his present business. He was married November 18, 1865, to Maggie F. Knight, of Summit, Waukesha Co., and daughter of B. W. Knight, a pioneer of that section of the State. They have four children - Fred, Mary, Donald and Robert. Mr. Powers is a member of the Knights of Honor, and Legion of Honor. [I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!] Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.