Samuel S. Towner
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Samuel S. Towner, of Byron Center, born in
Willsborough, Essex County, NY 4 March 1821. He is the eldest son of Samuel U.
and Sophia W. (Smith) Towner. He was reared on a farm and at the age of twenty
three went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he engaged four seasons as a ship
carpenter. In 1852 he returned to Byron Center and purchased 160 acres of land
in section 21 and spent time improving it. In a short time he had 80 acres
cultivated. In 1871 he built a steam saw-mill at Byron Center with a 80 horse power and upright saw and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for Widdicomb Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1880 he built a grist mill with four sets of burr stone, doing a lot of custom work, and manufacturing his own brand of flour for the Grand Rapids market. Mr. S. Towner was married 20 Oct 1847 to Cerelea L. Blakeslee of Dover, Ohio, daughter of James and Fanny (Lilly) Sherman. She was born 1 Oct 1830 at Ridgeville, Lorain County, Ohio.They had five children. Mr. Towner was in the war of the Rebellion and was enrolled in Co. C, 10th Mi Cav. He served in the army of the Cumberland and was discharged 21 Nov 1865. He was Supervisor in 1861 and township Commissioner, besides filling the other local offices. He was politically republican. |
Transcriber: ES
Created: 21 February 2014