Thomas James Powers, the pastor of St. Rose Catholic Church, Council Grove, Kan., was born at Peterboro, Ontario, Canada, May 26, the only son of James and Margaret (Tague) Powers. James Powers was born at Lewiston, N. Y., but his parents moved to Canada when he was a child, and there he received his education in the public schools. After attaining his growth Mr. Powers engaged in the lumber business and met with well deserved success. While living in Canada he met and married Margaret Tague, whose parents were natives of Ireland, who came to America and located in Canada. In 1880 the family came to the United States and settled at Syracuse, N. Y., where Mrs. Powers died April 18, 1898. Mr. Powers still resides at Fairmount, N. Y. Father Powers, who came to the United States with his parents when he was but two years of age, received his elementary education in the public schools of Syracuse. He then spent some time in study at the University of Ottawa, Canada. After leaving that school he determined to devote his life to working for his fellow men and entered St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N. Y., to prepare for the priesthood. He graduated in the academy in 1901 and then entered the seminary of the same institution, graduating in 1905. He was ordained as priest on Nov. 23, 1906, at Kansas City, Kan., by Rt. Rev. Thomas Lillis, bishop of the diocese. Father. Powers was assigned as assistant to Father Neusins, at Parsons, Kan., but two years later became pastor of St. Michael's Church at Girard, Kan., taking charge on Jan. 15, 1908. After serving as pastor of that charge for a little over two years Father Powers was appointed pastor of St. Rose's Church, at Council Grove, on May 15, 1910. The church is a fine brick edifice and a good parsonage is provided for the home of the priest in charge. The territory covered by Father Powers in his ministry includes Morris and part of Geary, Wabaunsee and Marion counties, and the parishes under his charge are: Corpus Christi at Skiddy; Holy Redeemer at Tampa; and a congregation at Chalk Mound. St. Rose of Lima parish has about thirty families that contribute liberally to the church, which is one of the most flourishing in the eastern part of the state. Since coming to this section of the state he has been singly successful in his ministry and the several congregations are showing a sound and satisfactory growth.