George Tower
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George Jones Tower (1824 - 1913)

George Jones Tower
Born in Milford, Otsego County, New York, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 25 May 1847 (to 26 May 1864) in New York, United Statesmap
Husband of — married 1 Sep 1866 in McHenry County, Illinois, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Died at age 88 in Lyons, Walworth County, Wisconsin, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 23 Aug 2020
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Biography

George Jones Tower, 19 December 1824 – 15 February 1913 (LDS Profile LC58-3RR)

Parents: Jonathan Tower, 1801–1866 (LDS Profile LC54-SLB) & Sally Jones, 1805–1839 (LDS Profile LC54-SG4) Marriage: 8 January 1824

Spouses:

First Wife: Polly Kingsbury, 1826–1864 (LDS Profile KC3T-ZMT) Marriage: 1847

Children with Polly:

Charles Bladget Tower 1848–1864 • LC58-S7B​​

Clayton Henry Tower 1850–1918 • LC58-SWD​​

Alice Pennelia Tower 1853–1888 • LC58-SDS​​

Clarence Elmore Tower 1855–Deceased • LC58-3V1​​

George Clifford Tower 1858–Deceased • LC58-3KH​​

Carlos Willie Tower 1860–1912 • LY8F-ZVC


Second Wife: Abbie Ann Wicham Rowley, 1837–1899 (LDS Profile LHLB-VNT) Marriage: 1866

Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935: George J. Tower, Marriage: 1 Sep 1866, McHenry County, Illinois, United States, Spouse's Name: Abby Ann Wickham

Children with Abbie:

Ellsworth E. Tower, 1869–Deceased • LC58-SM1​​

George Ellery Tower, 1877–1960 • LC58-9PZ​​

Darius Rawley Tower, 1882–Deceased • LC58-95C

George J. Tower

Is one of the leading and influential farmers of Martin County, now residing on section 26, Tenhassen Township. His name is inseparably connected with the political history of the community in which he makes his home, and in this volume he well deserves representation. Mr. Tower claims New York as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Otsego County on the 19th of December, 1824. In that county his father, Jonathan D. Tower, was also born, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sallie Jones, was a native of the same State. They were married in New York, and in an early day emigrated westward, casting their lot with the early settlers of Lake County, Illinois. The father died in 1867, and his wife passed away in 1838. Their family numbered nine children, three of whom are yet living – George J., Mrs. Fidelia Townsend, and Gilbert. After the death of his first wife, Jonathan Tower was a second time married, and one child of that union still survives, named Emily. Three sons of the family served in the late war: George Jones, William Wallace, who was killed near Lookout Mountain in one of the hard-fought battles of the war, and Emery. Although born in Otsego County, our subject was reared in Wyoming County, New York, and its public schools afforded him his educational privileges. At the age of eighteen, he began learning the boot and shoe trade, and followed that business for a period of twenty two years, meeting with good success. Mr. Tower has been twice married. On the 25th of May, 1847, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Polly Kingsbury, a native of New York, born in 1829. She died on May 26, 1864, leaving two children who yet survive – Clayton and Carlos. On the 1st of September 1866, Mr. Tower led to the marriage altar Mrs. Abbie A. Wickham, a native of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Peter and Alice (Dustin) Rowley, who came to Martin County before the war and settled at East Chain; both are now deceased. Mrs. Tower was born March 29, 1837, and first married Nathaniel B. Wickham, was a soldier of Company B, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private. He died while in the service, in 1861. To Mr. and Mrs. Wickham were born three children, viz.: John, the eldest, left home at the age of seventeen years and traveled through the West, working in the mines. He married Rosie Young, by whom he has two children. Perry and Rose, and is now living in the State of Washington; Hannah is the wife of George Graham, and they have five children; Lucy is the deceased wife of Alfred Kately, and was the mother of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Tower have been born three children: Ellsworth, who married Mabel Haines and has two children – Jennie E. and Glen E.; George and Darius, are still at home. During the late war, Mr. Tower responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in February 1865, in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as Corporal. He went to Georgia, where he joined the Army of the Cumberland and he served on detached duty. He continued at the front until 1866 and was then honorably discharged, after which he returned home. His son, Charles E., also served in the Civil War, becoming a musician in the Seventy-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was captured at the Battle of Chickamauga, taken to Richmond, Virginia, and sent to Andersonville prison, where he died, in August 1864. In 1868 Mr. Tower arrived in Martin County, where he has since made his home, and the twenty-six years which have here been passed have been spent upon the farm which is now his home. For some time he experienced many hardships, but perseverance and enterprise at length triumphed over obstacles, and he has become one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community. He hauled the lumber for the buildings upon his farm a distance of seventy-five miles. He now owns 160 acres of good land in a high state of cultivation, and the well-tilled fields and modern improvements indicate to the passer-by the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Capable business management, diligent, and careful attention to all details have been the factors in his success and have made his example well worthy of emulation. Mr. Tower exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the The Republican party, and warmly advocates its principles. For many years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has led to his long retention in office. He was also a Supervisor for a number of terms and has for some time been officially connected with the schools of the neighborhood. He has also served one term as County Commissioner, and as School Director for the long period of twenty-two years, while for some time he acted as School Clerk. The course of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and he used every means at his command to aid in its development. Socially he is connected with the Masonic order, and the Grand Army Post, both of Fairmont; and his wife is connected with the Christian Scientist Society of that place. This worthy couple are people of sterling qualities, whose well-spent lives and many excellencies of character have gained them the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Their friends are many in the community, and in social circles, they hold an enviable position.

Sources

  • familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LC58-3RR
  • url

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HSD7-RV2M

Memorial Record of the Counties of Faribault, Martin, Watonwan and Jackson, Minnesota, Illustrated; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (1895); transcribed by the Genealogy Trails Transcription Team – Vicki Bryan





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