Towle, Henry S.

TOWLE, BROTHER, PRATT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 20:36:30

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

HENRY S. TOWLE.

Prominent among the leading and representative young business men of Clinton, Iowa, is Henry S. Towle, treasurer of the Towle & Spreter Company, dealers in dry goods, carpets and millinery in the Toll block. He was born in that city, April 13, 1871, and was a son of the late P. S. Towle, who was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of Clinton. The Towle family is of English origin on both the paternal and maternal sides. Our subject’s grandfather, Candia Towle, was a native of Camden, New Hampshire, and was a son of Thomas Towle, who was born in the same state in 1770 and in 1818 removed to Steuben county, New York, where he was accidentally killed in 1822 by falling from a tree.

P. S. Towle, the father of our subject, was born in the village of Bath, Steuben county, New York, on the 8th of June, 1836, and there passed the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving a good common school education. During his early life he became thoroughly familiar with mercantile business, clerking for some time in a store at Towlesville, which village was named in honor of his family, and after he was similarly employed at Olean, New York. In 1862 he joined the navy, and was assigned to the Vanderbilt, which was cruising in search of the Confederate privateer Alabama. After completing a cruise of a year and a half he was appointed assistant paymaster in the United States naval service, with the rank of major, and was stationed on the steamer Clyde at Key West, Florida.

At the close of the war Mr. Towle returned to his old home in New York, but later in the same year came to Clinton, Iowa, and opened a dry goods store on Front street. The following year, however, he removed to the present location of the Towle & Spreter Company, but their accommodations have since been greatly enlarged to meet the demands of their extensive and constantly increasing business. Mr. Towle was alone in business until 1882, when he formed a partnership with A. J. Spreter, who relieved him of some of the responsibility, he being then in poor health and unable to attend to his extensive business interest. Later the company was incorporated under the name of Towle & Spreter Company, by which title it is still known. Upon the organization of the Portland Consolidated Mining Company of Clinton, he became one of its directors, and was also one of the original incorporators and treasurer of the Buxton Mining Company of Clinton.

Mr. Towle was married December 12, 1867, to Miss Mary Brother, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Pratt) Brother, who were early settlers of Bath, New York, and descendants of the Knickerbocker stock, famous in the annals of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Towle were born three children: Henry S.; Charles; and Stewart. The parents were both active members of the Episcopal church, in which Mr. Towle served as vestryman for some years. He was a prominent Mason, belong to DeMolay Consistory, No. 1, Ancient Scottish Rite, of Clinton, and was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, the American Legion of Honor and the Iowa Legion of Honor. He was past commander and a leading member of N. B. Baker Post, No. 88, G. A. R. The Republican party always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he took an active interest in all enterprises calculated to promote the public welfare. A man of great natural ability, his success in business, from the beginning of his residence in Clinton, was uniform and rapid. While as a prosperous business man he always gave close attention to his private affairs, he never forgot or ignored the bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community and was always ready to promote progress in every line. He was an active and energetic worker in the organization of the public library of Clinton, and was a member of its board of directors several years. He died July 18, 1898, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Towle is still a resident of Clinton.

Henry S. Towle, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the high school of Clinton, and throughout his entire business career has been identified with the Towle & Spreter Company, entering their employ in 1892. The concern was incorporated the year previous, and its present officers are C. B. Obert, president; C. H. O. Meyer, secretary; and H. S. Towle, treasurer. They carry a large and varied stock, selected with a view to meet the wants of their customers, and have the leading dry-goods establishment in the city. Mr. Towle is an enterprising, wide-awake young business man, of good executive ability and sound judgment, and undoubtedly a very successful career awaits him in the business world. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Order and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.