My Genealogy Hound

W. H. POWER, piano manufacturer, Secretary of the Ohio Valley Piano Company of Ripley, was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 18, 1848. He is a son of James and Mary J. (Brownfield) Power, who were also natives of Adams County. His father’s parents, William and Martha Power, were among the early pioneers of that county. Mr. Power, the subject of this sketch, was reared and brought up in Manchester, where his parents removed when he was but three years of age. His education was acquired in the schools of that place. His father was a wagon and carriage maker, and at an early age he was apprenticed to that trade. September 3, 1864, at the youthful age of sixteen, he responded to his country’s call by enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the engagements of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., and was discharged with honors at the close of the war at Camp Chase, Ohio. He returned to Manchester, and in 1866 came to Ripley and resumed his avocation as a mechanic in the Ohio Valley Piano Manufactory, in which he remained as an employe until July, 1880, when he became a member of the firm and has since held the office of Secretary. Mr. Power is an ingenious workman, and executes with excellent skill the various departments of mechanism his avocation embraces. He has served on most all the branches of piano making with marked success. He celebrated his marriage October 27, 1869, with Miss Minnie Thompson, a daughter of John F. and Mary Thompson, now deceased. Mrs. Power, a very worthy lady, is a native of Brown County. One son was born to bless this union — Harry N., born June 1, 1871. Mr. Power is associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church as a member, and is also connected with the order of Knights of Pythias. He is politically identified with the Republican party. Mr. Power is a gentleman of fine social character, good principles, sterling integrity, and highly merits the esteem in which he is held.