HE WAS a mere boy, albeit a lonely lad in a grip of fear and uncertainty.
He was a child pauper home alone after his dad died and his mother and siblings headed to the US where his mum re-married. He was staring down a dark tunnel.
But with a resilience that can spark miracles, the courage of a lion and a heart of gold, John Logan Power climbed on board a Coffin Ship for the United States.
He was catapulted to a distinguished Confederate Army Civil War career, published three newspapers and became an eminent Statesman in Mississippi State.
To say he was a wonder kid would be a gross understatement.
Climbing Everest
His rags to riches achievement would be akin to a young man or woman climbing to the peak of Everest in a pair of oversized wellies.
Today, it is The Kilkenny Observer’s privilege to highlight the story of a brave boy of 16, an inmate in Callan Workhouse for eight years during the Great Famine of the late 1840s.
The awe-inspiring tale of how a child pauper crossed the Atlantic to search for his family and went on to become a wealthy businessman is now in book form thanks to Joe Kennedy and his colleagues in Callan Heritage Society 2020.
Born in Mullinahone but domiciled in Callan, young John is yet another reason why Callan, with a sensational list of brilliant famous people born or lived there, should be the world’s greatest historical tourist-trap.
Potential killer
After a gruelling voyage John was dealt another potential killer blow as his family was in dire poverty due to his step-father’s excessive drinking.
But after a remarkable journey of survival, resilience and belief in himself and Divine Providence that a ‘better time was coming’, he went on to champion the orphans of the poorest States in the US.
The boy’s great grandson David Moreau, Research Professor at Chapel Hill University, North Carolina, USA narrated John’s hugely successful career.
Against all odds, the lad went on to a brilliant career as a soldier in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War (1861-’65), newspaper publisher, dedicated husband and father and tireless humanitarian.
