TOWNER, Will 1870-1931

TOWNER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/30/2010 at 20:30:16

Will Towner Died
of Heart Disease
Long Beach, Cal.

Sudden Death of Prominent
Former Osage Shocks
Old Friends Here

Old friends and neighbors here were shocked to hear of the sudden death of Will Towner Sunday evening at his home in Long Beach, California.

So far as anyone here knew, he was in his usual good health; but it has been learned that he hadn't been feeling quite up to normal for a couple of weeks. He had consulted a physician and learned that he had a slight leakage of the heart, but had been reassured that it was nothing alarming - lots of people have that.

News reached here by telephone and details are lacking. A telephone message also reached Mr. Towner's daughter, Mrs. Ben Chatman, and husband at Minneapolis, where they were for a
weekend visit. The latter planned at once to leave Minneapolis for the west, but on learning that they could get their train just as easily at Mason City, they, in company with the Harry Johnsons who were in Minneapolis with them, came to Osage, then went over to Mason City Monday night to take their train.

The Chatmans will arrive in Long Beach Thursday in time for the funeral. Burial is to be made there. Mr.s Towner's sister, Mrs. Garfield Moody, didn't attempt to make the trip. Her husband is already in California, having been called there a few weeks ago by the illness of his father, Alex Moody.

Besides the daughter and sister mentioned, the surviving relatives in the immediate family are the widow, another daughter, Mrs. Julia Kuhn; two sisters - Mrs. Gene Holbrook, Long Beach, and Mrs. Howard Ober, Sioux City; and one brother, Jay, of Colwell.

Mr. Towner was born in May 1870, in East Lincoln Township, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Towner, and came to Osage when his parents moved here about fifteen years later. When about 20 years old he engaged in the grocery business, his store being located just east of the Press News office, where the Tottenham cafe is now situated. He was in this business about three years.

He married Lottie Fonda, and soon after became associated with his father-in-law, E. S. Fonda in the farm implement business on the corner where the Casey and Chatman agencies are now located.

Later Mr. Fonda withdrew from the business, and James G. Casey entered it. This partnership continued until about ten years ago, when Mr. Towner withdrew and Mr. Chatman went into the business.

Mr. Towner attained a place of high value to the community, always generous with his time and ability in the cause of the general welfare. He served the city as alderman, and was mayor at the time of his removal to Long Beach, California, where he engaged in the banking business.

[Mitchell County Press, December 17, 1931]