Am'jJaSu,r,i879arm }      Memoir  of  Thomas  H.  Powers.  45- 
always  continued  the  control — sat  lightly  on  his  shoulders,  and  he  was 
ever  ready  to  lay  them  aside  for  a  time,  when  called  upon  for  consulta- 
tion or  advice  by  his  friends,  and  by  business  acquaintances  in  their 
emergencies.  His  manner  at  such  times  will  long  be  remembered  by 
all  who  sought  his  advice  ;  an  almost  paternal  interest  seemed  to  invest 
his  counsels. 
His  mind  had  the  faculty  of  grasping  almost  intuitively  the  important 
points  of  the  subject  presented  to  it — the  situation  seemed  to  be  mas- 
tered at  once — while  he  was  patient  and  penetrating  in  the  examination 
of  details,  for  which  he  had  a  remarkable  memory. 
His  advice  was  given  frankly,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  do  his 
part  if  he  thought  the  occasion  deserving  and  likely  to  result  in  perma- 
nent benefit. 
While  inflexible  and  outspoken  in  opposition  to  what  he  thought  was 
wrong  in  conduct  or  erroneous  in  principle,  he  was  considerate  to 
weakness  and  compassionate  in  misfortune. 
His  contributions  to  charitable  purposes  increased  with  his  means, 
and  were  dispensed  with  thoughtful  kindness  and  conscientious  care. 
How  large  and  various  these  benefactions  were  was  known  to  but  few, 
for  they  were  made,  not  with  a  view  to  public  applause,  from  which  he 
instinctively  shrunk,  but  were  prompted  by  the  high  motive  of  love  to 
his  fellow-men. 
He  retained  in  a  remarkable  degree  his  early  friendships,  and  how- 
ever advancing  years  might  have  left  their  impress  on  his  person,  his 
friends  found  but  little  change  in  the  man  himself. 
On  the  16th  of  November,  1878,  Mr.  Powers  left  his  office  on 
account  of  indisposition,  which  developed  into  pneumonia.  He  died  at 
his  residence,  No.  1618  Walnut  street,  on  the  20th,  in  the  67th  year 
of  his  age. 
Mr.  Powers  was  married  in  184.1  to  Miss  Anna  Matilda  Cash.  His 
only  son  died  in  March,  1873.     ^e  ^eaves  a  widow  and  one  daughter. 
The  faithful,  conscientious  character  which  had  been  formed  in  early 
manhood  remained  unchanged.  He  was  unspoiled  by  success,  as  he 
had  been  undaunted  in  difficulty.  His  whole  life  has  been,  in  all  its 
relations,  a  bright  example  of  industry,  perseverance,  [Christian  faith- 
fulness and  good  works. 
