In honor of Ridgway’s Bicentennial, we continue our monthly series highlighting homes in Ridgway’s Historic Lily of The Valley Historic District in the words of local historian Bob Imhof.
Biography of Jerome Powell
Original Owner of “The Towers Victorian Inn” Built in 1865 (Now the 1865 Bella Mansion)
JEROME POWELL, of the firm of Jerome & Edgar Charles Powell, merchants, Ridgway, was born in the borough and county of Warren, Pennsylvania, in 1827, a son of Richard and Margaret M. (Holden) Powell.
In 1850 he moved to Ridgway, where he established the Elk County Advocate newspaper, continuing its publication until 1855. He then embarked in mercantile pursuits, and later also in the manufacture of lumber, in both of which branches he is still engaged.
In 1865 he associated with himself, in the mercantile business, Mr. Robert V. Kime, which firm was widely known under the firm name of Powell & Kime during the succeeding twenty-two years, Mr. Kime then retiring from the firm, but still continuing as active manager of the business. Mr. Edgar C. Powell, son of the senior member of the firm, then entered as partner, and the business was conducted in their large three-story double brick store, on the same spot of ground, under the firm name of J. & E. C. Powell. In politics Mr. Powell was a Republican. Although in no sense an office seeker, preferring his own private business instead, he has held several local offices of some importance.
In 1854 he married Miss Amanda E. Horton, who died in 1888, leaving two sons, named, respectively, Edgar C. and Robert J. Powell, both of whom lived in Ridgway. The name of Mrs. Powell’s father was Isaac Horton; her mother’s maiden name was Lucy Warner.
The Elk County Advocate first saw the light of day on March 9, 1850. After an all-night effort, the paper was in readiness for the weekly horseback mail then carried by the late ex-sheriff, David Thayer, through the almost unbroken forest to Warren. In the meantime a contest was going on among the imported printers for the job of running the Advocate. Arrangements were finally made with Jerome Powell, to edit and publish the paper for one year—the sum of $600 being guaranteed him for the service.
The editor of the Advocate noticing the organization of the “Know-nothings.” in April,1854, says: “The patriots of the Revolution fought not only for their liberties and firesides, but also to build up a country here, where the oppressed of all nations could find a refuge and home throughout all future time. But the Know-nothings are out for a different order of things.” The result was that the Advocate was published and edited by Mr. Powell, assisted for a short time in the editorial department by Mr. Henry Souther, for about five and a half years, or till September 8, 1855. The paper was then sold to the prominent citizen, J. L. Brown, of Wilcox, who changed the name to the Elk County Reporter.
The Borough of Ridgway was not incorporated until September,1880. The first election for Ridgway Borough was held on February 15, 1881, Jerome Powell becoming the first Chief Burgess.
You can find more information about Ridgway’s Bicentennial events as well as other upcoming events happening Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region at VisitPAGO.com/Events
