Thomas C. Power

Who was Thomas C. Power?

Thomas Charles Power was a Republican senator from Montana and businessman. He was born near Dubuque, Iowa, on May 22, 1839. He attended public school and graduated from Sinsinawa College with a degree in engineering. He then worked as a surveyor in Dakota until 1860. Between 1861 and 1867, he was engaged in trade along the Mississippi River, eventually becoming president of a steamer line.

After settling in Helena in 1876 Power started T. C. Power and Bro, which was a prominent mercantile company through the northwestern United States and western Canada. He served in the United States Senate from January 2, 1890, to March 4, 1895, as one of the first two senators from Montana. He died on February 16, 1923, and was interred in Resurrection Cemetery. The town of Power in Montana is named after him.