My Genealogy Hound

Thomas A. Towler, one of the leading farmers and traders of Richland Township, was born in Lunenburgh County, Va., in 1822, April 21, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Averett) Towler, both natives of Lunenburgh County, Va., and the grandson of Jickanias Towler, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and lost his leg in the cause of Independence. James Towler was, in his younger days, a merchant by occupation, but by unfortunate investments lost his money, and this caused his death. His son, Thomas A., was but eleven years old at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Towler were the parents of five children: Thomas A.; Joseph, who was killed at the second battle of Manassas, and was captain of a Confederate company; Elizabeth, Martha F. and Rebecca. The last heard of the mother she was living at Clarksville, Va., and nothing has been heard of the rest of the children since the war. Thomas A. left his home In Virginia in 1843, traveled to Nashville, Tenn., and from there to Washington County, Ark., where he has since resided, and is now the only man living who was in Richland Township in 1843. He learned the brick-mason’s trade, but that not suiting him, he worked in the tobacco business in Clarksville, Va. When first coming to Washington County, Ark., he began the manufacture of plug tobacco, and continued this until the breaking out of the late war. Previous to the war, May 8, 1845, he married Miss Rebecca Anderson, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of James Anderson. Soon after her marriage she was thrown from a horse, and died from the effects March 3, 1846. May 9, 1847, he married Miss Mary E. Trammel, a native of Georgetown, Mo., born May 19, 1830, and the daughter of John Trammel. She died in Washington County, Ark., August 29, 1875. To this marriage were born twelve children, eight now living: Margaret, wife of James Hinds; Nannie, wife of David Dickey; Mary E., wife of William Rough; John, Thomas J., Euen, Ben F.; and those deceased were infants. Mr. Towler, besides his manufacturing of tobacco, was also engaged in buying, and driving south, mules and horses, and has driven forty-six droves of mules and horses to Louisiana in his time. Since the war he has followed farming and stock dealing, but has also carried on his tobacco business. During that eventful period he served three years and fifteen days, and was in some important battles. He was captured at Fayetteville and taken to Springfield, but escaped at the end of seventeen days. Although a manufacturer of tobacco, Mr. Towler has never used the weed in any shape or form, and has never been intoxicated. He has been sworn but three times in court, and was instrumental in organizing the Masonic Lodge No. 93. April 8, 1879, Mr. Towler married Miss Martha Womack, a native of Madison County, Ark., born September 15, 1847, and the daughter of John Womack, who was one of the first settlers of Arkansas. Mr. Towler is a member of no church, but his wife and all the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.