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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Lewis M. Towns, residing on section 14, Spring Creek township, is one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of the county, his farm comprising two hundred and twenty-two acres of land which is valuable and productive. A resident of the county since 1858. he is well known within its borders. He was born in Harrison county, Missouri, December 23, 1857, and is a son of Levi Towns, whose birth occurred in Stark county, Ohio, in 1830. The grandfather Israel Towns, was an early settler of Ohio and Levi Towns was reared in Stark county, where he remained until he went to Missouri in early manhood. He settled in Harrison county, where he engaged in teaching for several years. He was married in Missouri to Miss Rachel Connor, a native of that state and they remained residents of Missouri for several years thereafter. In 1857 they came to Iowa, settling in Mahaska county, where Mr. Towns secured a farm, then a tract of raw land. He had traded land in Missouri for one hundred and twenty acres here and with characteristic energy he began to clear and break the land, upon which he built a log house, beginning life in true pioneer style. For several years he lived in that cabin home, but afterward erected a substantial and modern frame dwelling. He also built two good barns and bought land from time to time thus extending the boundaries of the place until the farm now comprises two hundred and twenty-two acres, all of which has been placed under the plow, save a tract of forty acres of timber. Upon this farm Mr. Towns lost his wife in 1867. He is now residing with his son, Lewis, at the age of seventy-six years. He filled the office of township trustee for two or three terms, and was interested in all matters of general progress and improvement. Lewis M. Towns is one of a family of four sons and three daughters, six of whom are yet living. He remained upon the farm with his father, receiving good educational privileges and has always resided upon the old homestead since coming to the county. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth, but he has ever manifested a spirit of loyal and progressive citizenship and of trustworthiness in business that makes his record a creditable one and worthy of emulation. On the 16th of October, 1884, in Spring Creek township, Mr. Towns was married to Miss Maggie Martin, who was born in Pennsylvania and was reared in this state from girlhood days, being but eighteen months old when brought to Iowa by her father, W. S. Martin, who removed from Pennsylvania to Mahaska county and became a farmer of Spring Creek township. After his marriage Mr. Towns operated the home farm for a few years and then located on a tract of land in Monroe township, where he purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land. There he lived for ten years, carrying on general agricultural pursuits and further improving the property. He tiled the place and added modern equipments. Later, however, he purchased the old home farm and has built to and remodeled the house, He has also tiled the land and he uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on the work of the fields. This is a well developed farm property and in connection with the cultivation of crops he also engages in raising and feeding stock, fattening a carload or two of stock for the market each year besides a large number of hogs. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Towns have been born three sons and two daughters: Blanch and Beulab, twins, who are at home; Truman A.; Homer M.; and Paul C. Politically Mr. Towns is a stanch republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections, where only the capability of a candidate is to be considered, he casts an independent ballot. He has never desired or sought office but gives his time to his business. He has, however, served on the school board. Both he and his wife, are members of the Oskaloosa United Presbyterian church and enjoy the warm esteem of all that class of citizens who have due regard for all that is upright and honorable in life. Brought to the county when only a year old, Mr. Towns has since resided within its borders, and has long been accounted one of its progressive and prosperous farmers.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy