March 18, 1863, John boards the Constitution and departs for New York, City.
Fall of 1863, 19 years old, John was transferred to work the freight office for the newly completed Peninsula Line Railroad, (a subsidiary run by the C&NW parent company) on the Merchant Dock in Escanaba, Michigan a 180 miles north of Chicago. The newly built dock on the Escanaba waterfront was used to receive supplies and materials for building of the new railroad and act as the primary terminal connecting the isolated Peninsula Railroad line to the Chicago & Northwestern line via a terminal dock located at the mouth of the Fox river in Fort Howard, Wisconsin. The Merchant Docks also contained tracks for a retail coal business.
Circa 1897
image courtesy : Cousins, Linda Layman-Nowicki & Leslie Layman - Bastian
Top Row Left to Right
Kate, (aka, Catherine, 21 years old) Delia, (20 years old) Mag, (aka, Margaret, 18 years old) Ed, (15 years old)
Second Row
Mike, (aka Michael, 17 years old) Ellen Cody Powers (48 years old), Mary Ellen, (24 years old) John Powers, (53 years old) John
Third Row
Nan, (11 years old ) Tom, (6 years old) Laurette, (9 years old) Florence (13 years old)
1873, October 3: Mary Ellen Powers was born.
1874, October 5: John Henry Powers, was born.
1876, February 13: Catherine Powers was born.
1877, March 28: Bridget Powers (aka, Delia) was born.
1879, June 23: Margaret Powers was born.
1880, October 25: Michael Powers was born.
1882, Edward Powers was born.
1884, April 3: Florence Powers was born. Florence was to become my grandmother through my mother Arlene.
1886, Anna Powers (aka, Nan) was born.
1889, February 11: Laurette Powers (aka, Loretta) was born.
1891, Thomas Powers was born.
Escanaba C&NW Shipping Docks
C & NW Ore Docks
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1890, By now, Escanaba became known as the iron port of the world
because of the tonnage of iron ore shipped from the North Western docks.
In addition to iron ore, copper and lumber were also in abundant supply
Total vessel tonnage at Escanaba, including all commodities, in 1890 was
slightly over eight million tons which surpassed Liverpool, England.
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Family Moves to New Home
After many years the Ludington Street property was sold and John and family moved to the west end of town near the Chicago & Northwestern passenger depot. Their new home was located at 321 Fannie Street. (North 13th Street)
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
St. Patrick's Church 1902 -1997
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1901, July 1: Irish members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church petitioned Bishop Frederick Eis
for permission to organize a separate parish and formal division was confirmed. The Rev. Joseph M. Langan was the first pastor. The cornerstone of St. Patrick's Church
was laid March 25, 1902, and the new church was dedicated the following year. Father Langan died in 1911 and was succeeded by the Rev. Francis X. Barth. John Powers andhis family were founding members of the new Irish Catholic, St. Patrick's congregation.
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John�s Wife Dies
1903, Friday, June 19: John�s wife of 30 years, Ellen Cody Powers died.
John Powers Retires from Railroad
1908, John retired after 45 years of service with Chicago & North Western Railroad
John in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1927, John moved south to live with his daughter, Mrs. Mary McCarthy at 529 North 29th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until his death.
John Powers Dies
John Power died at age of 94 at the home of his daughter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His funeral service was held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and he was buried at the family plot next to his wife Ellen located at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery both in Escanaba, Michigan.
Note: 1947 St. Joseph Cemetery and St. Anne Cemetery are merged and become Holy Cross Cemetery, which is owned and operated by the Diocese of Marquette.
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