Charles S. Towle, one of Chichester’s representative farmers, was born in this town, October 17, 1854, son of James B. and Sarah (Sherburne) Towle. His grandparents, Jonathan and Sally (Fellows) Towle, who were prosperous farming people of Chichester, had twelve children, of whom Sarah J., Betsey, Mary E., Cynthia, and Olive Jane are living. Sarah J. is the widow of George P. Haines, late of this town, and has five children-Sarah J., George H., Annie M., Albert H., and Alvin M. Betsey is the widow of the late Augustus Leavitt. Mary E. is the wife of Stephen Marston, of Pittsfield, N.H.; and her children are; Angie, Munroe, Sarah, Clara, Addie, Alice, and Adelle. Cynthia married Clark Bennett; and her children are: Clarence, Nettie, Irving, and another whose name is not known. Olive Jane is the wife of Albert Thompson, of Chichester, and has four children-Ida, Arthur, Lillia, and Augustus. Jonathan Towle in his younger years was a cooper by trade. He later gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In politics he was a Democrat. He was over eighty years old when he died. His wife also lived to a good old age. They were members of the Baptist church.
James B. Towle, the second of his parents’ children, was born in Chichester and reared to farm life. He owned a good farm in Chichester. In politics he supported the Democratic party, and in his religious views he was a Methodist. He died at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, Sarah, became the mother of seven children, five of whom are living; namely, Lewis, James F., Sarah J., Viola, and Charles S. Lewis married for his first wife Helen Abbott, who had five children: Herman G., Lucy E., Sarah E., Fred L., and Charles A. For his second wife he wedded Mary Hill, of Chichester. James F. Towle married Abbie J. Watson, of this town, and has two children-F. Lenore and Paul E. Sarah J. is the wife of John F. French, of Chichester; and her children are: Lizzie H., John W., Frank D., Susan A., and Josephine P. Viola is the widow of the late Alfred Robinson; and her children are: James O. and Bert D. Mrs. James B. Towle died at the age of seventy-six years.
Charles S. Towle attended the schools of his native town, and at an early age began to assist his father upon the farm. He has followed farming very prosperously throughout his life. On May 23, 1878, he married Sarah R. Lake, daughter of Josiah and Mary A. (Richards) Lake, Pembroke, N.H. Their adopted daughter, Edith May, was born in Boscawen, N.H., June 7, 1890. Mr. Towle is much liked for many estimable traits of character. Both he and Mrs. Towle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he supports the Prohibition party.
