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Thomas Charles Power
United States Senator from Montana
In office January 2, 1890 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Thomas H. Carter
Personal details
Born	(1839-05-22)May 22, 1839 near Dubuque, Iowa
Died	February 16, 1923(1923-02-16) (aged 83) Helena, Montana
Resting place	Resurrection Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Profession	Businessman

Thomas Charles Power (May 22, 1839 – February 16, 1923) was a Republican senator from Montana and an American businessman.

Early life, education, and career

Born near Dubuque, Iowa, on May 22, 1839, Power attended public school and graduated from Sinsinawa College with a degree in engineering. He then worked as a surveyor in Dakota until 1860, when he entered the employ of an engineering company. There, he participated in government land surveys covering much of Iowa and what was then the Dakota Territory. Between 1861 and 1867, he was primarily engaged in trade along the Mississippi River, eventually becoming president of a steamer line. Power first came to Montana in 1864, partnering in his enterprises with his brother, J.W. Power. After settling in Helena in 1876 Power started T. C. Power and Bro, which was a mercantile company through the northwestern United States and western Canada.

Senate service and later life

In 1889, Power ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Montana, winning the nomination of the Republican Party on the first ballot, but losing the general election to Democratic candidate Joseph Toole, the only Democrat on the state ticket that year to be elected. A conflict erupted over the respective roles of the governor and the state legislature in appointing the first two members of the United States Senate for the state, but on January 2, 1890, the Republican-controlled legislature elected Power to the second seat, which he then held until March 3, 1895.

Power died at his home in Helena on February 16, 1923, and was interred in Resurrection Cemetery. The town of Power in Montana is named after him.

References

1. ^ "Thomas C. Power Taken By Death At Helena Home", The Missoulian (March 17, 1923), p. 1.
2. ^ Encyclopedia Dubuque, Thomas Charles Power
3. "The 1889 Power Building Popularly Known as the Power Block". HelenaHistory.org. 2010. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019.
4. "Montana Republican Convention", Bismarck Weekly Tribune (August 30, 1889), p. 7.
5. "A Brief History of Montana". The Official Website for the State of Montana. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
6. "The Montana Muddle", Ashland Weekly News (December 11, 1889), p. 4.
7. "Elected Senator From Montana", Chicago Tribune (January 3, 1890), p. 2.

• United States Congress. "Thomas C. Power (id: P000486)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

v t e United States senators from Montana
Class 1	Sanders Mantle Clark Gibson Carter Myers Wheeler Ecton Mansfield Melcher Burns Tester Sheehy (elect)
Class 2	Power Carter Clark Dixon T. Walsh Erickson Murray Metcalf Hatfield Baucus J. Walsh Daines

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