Powers, John (1852-1930)

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Charles Frederick Bradley to Jane Addams, April 27, 1902

Tie on Widening Plan, November 27, 1906 (fragment)

Recreation as a Public Function in Urban Communities, 1911

Recreation as a Public Function in Urban Communities, December 28, 1911

Recreation -- A Function of City Government, July 1, 1913 (fragment)

Miss Addams, August 1913

Humanitarian Aspects of the Merit System, December 3, 1914

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Birth Date

1852-02-15

Death Date

1930-05-19

Birthplace

Brannon, Ireland

Biographical Text

John Powers was an Irish immigrant who was the Alderman for Chicago's 19th Ward, which included Hull House, for many years. His leadership of the ward was incredibly corrupt and cared very little for the public health of the area, prompting Addams to remind him and the people of the ward of his duty towards them. They disagreed on his corruption his entire career. He was able to maintain his position due to the high numbers of Irish immigrants in the area and when more Italians came in, his political security was threatened by Anthony D'Andrea, with whom he had a long-standing feud. D'Andrea was eventually assassinated, though not before being suspected of bombing Powers. Powers himself was heavily involved in politically fueled violence and was it's victim more than once, especially during the Alderman's War before the election of 1921. He also served in the State Senate. Powers died in 1930.

Powers married Mary Farrell in 1880; she later died in 1917. He then married Mayme Larrabee McKenna in 1918. After her death in 1925, Powers married Frances Lawler Wolff in 1926. He was the father of four children.