Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas A. Towler

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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.