Representative Horace Henry Powers

Horace Henry Powers served as a Representative from Vermont in the United States Congress from 1891 to 1901. A member of the Republican Party, Horace Henry Powers contributed to the legislative process during 5 terms in office.

Horace Henry Powers’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Horace Henry Powers participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Horace Henry Powers (May 29, 1835 – December 8, 1913) was an American lawyer, judge and politician. He was most notable for his service as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court and a U.S. Representative from Vermont (1891–1901). A native of Morristown, Vermont, Powers received bachelor’s (1855) and master’s (1858) degrees from the University of Vermont, studied law, and became an attorney in Hyde Park before later returning to Morristown. Powers became active in politics as a Republican, and served in the Vermont House of Representatives (1858-1859), as State’s Attorney of Lamoille County, Vermont (1861–1862), and the Vermont Senate (1872–1874). Powers returned to the Vermont House in 1874 and was elected to serve as Speaker of the House, but he resigned in order to accept appointment as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, where he served from 1874 to 1890. In 1890, Powers was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was reelected four times and served from March 4, 1891 to March 3, 1901. During his final three terms, Powers was chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1900, and resumed practicing law in Morristown. Powers died in Morristown on December 8, 1913. He was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery in Morristown.