My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
* * * *
Oliver M. Towles was born in Saline County, April 29, 1846, the son of Alfred L. and Jane P. (Vaughan) Towles, natives of Virginia. The father came to Saline County in 1840, and in 1865 moved to La Grange, where he practiced medicine until his death in October, 1884. The mother, three sons and four daughters survive him. Our subject in his youth was engaged in the tobacco trade at Quincy, Ill., Macon, and La Grange, Mo., and was a carpenter in the employ of the Keokuk & North Western Railway, about seven years. After coming to Canton in 1884, and working for Graves & Turner a year, he began his present successful grocery business. With his complete selected stock of groceries, provisions, fishing tackle, etc., he controls a large share of the trade of the county. In 1875 he married Josephine M. Devilbiss, of this county. Their children are Henry A., Oliver M., Eugene and George M. At La Grange he was a prominent local Democrat, and served in the city council two years, and one term as tax-collector. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.
* * * *
This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis County, Missouri portion of the book, The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887. For the complete description, click here: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Lewis County, Missouri family biographies here: Lewis County, Missouri Biographies
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.