The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-03-17
Death of Mr. Towers.

Last Wednesday night, Mt 9 O'Clock :,
after an illness of only weak with pneu
monia, Mr.. Alexander B. Towers died ~
his home in this city. AS was slated in
the INTELLIGENCER last week, be became
unconscious early in the morning, and
gradually grew weaker until death came
and relieved him of his sufferings. The
last day he was at his store he realized that
his condition was serious, and told some
of his friends that he would not live many
days. His death, therefore, was no shock
to his friends or loved ones. He was nj ever
a very robust man, but was very prudent
and careful in his habits, which no doubt
prolonged his days.
Mr.. Towers was the eldest son of Daniel
R. Towers, and was born at old Pendleton
on September is. 1922, while his father
was serving as Deputy Sheriff of old Pen
dleton District He was therefore in the
18th year of his age. After Pend!eton
District was divided, the deceased's father
moved over to the western side of the
County, in the Roberts Church section,
and later moved to what is now known as
the Archer place, two miles south Of the
city.
When about is years Of age Mr.. Towers
came to Anderson and engaged in business
as clerk in the store of the late John p.
Benson. Later he clerked for the late S.
G.. Earle at Evergreen, for year, and
then engaged in business for short time
in Oconee County, near Bachelors Re-
treat. From there he returned to Ander-
son, and has ever since been engaged in
the mercantile business here. He was for
a number Of years partner OF the late
Milford Burriss, the late W. =. Sharpe and
Msi. A. r. Broyles, and we doubt If there
was better known merchant in upper
South Carolina. In Anderson County he
was known to everybody, and he possess
cd the confidence and good will of every
body. Preceding the war, during the
militia days, Mr.. Towers held the office of
Judge Advocate for a number Of years,
and many of our older citizens addressed
him as Judge Towers. During the war
he served awhile in Charleston in regi-
ment of State troops, but his health was so
fesble that he was never required to do
service in the regular army.
In his boyhood Mr.. Towers joined the
Presbyterian Church, and throughout his
life was most jealous, devoted and con.
his Church only when sick or absent from
filed the position of ruling elder, and for
the greater portion of that time was clerk
of the Church Session. He took very
active part in the Sunday School, and for
more than thirty-fve years was Superin-
tendent of the School. Since our child
hood We have known him intimately, and
We can testify to his worth and zeal as an
humble follower Of the meek and lowly
Jesus. He felt q peculiar interest in the
welfare Of boys and young men, and his
good work and the impressions he made
will be felt for generations to come. He
was very Jealous advocate Of the temper
ance cause, and to the day of his death was
a member of the Sons of Temperance. He
was charter member of the old Ander-
son Division of Sons Of Temperance, and
during the long number OF years OF its
existence he attended regularly its weekly
meetings, urging. and soliciting boys and
young men to join the order and keep
their pledge faithfully. He welded wide
influence, and by his kind words Of ad
vice, gentle admonitions and noble exam
pie he led many into the paths Of virtue,
uprightness, temperance and finally into
the Church. What q lasting monument
he has left to his memory! He was ever
ready to let his light shine, and through
ont his life fought good fight. Now be
is reapipg his rewards around the throne
of the blessed Saviour, whom he delighted
to serve. Truly, "a coed name is rather
to be chosen than great riches.'
Mr.. Towers was twice married, his first
wife being Miss Martha Humphreys, a
daughter OF the late Rev. David Hum
phrsys. She died in 1S49. By this mar
riage was one son, who died in 1850. In
1857 he married Miss Ellen Milling. By
this marriage four daughters and two sons
were born. His wife and both sons pre-
ceded him to the grave.
As citizen Mr.. Towers was ever ready
to promote any enterprise that would tend
to the upbuilding Of Anderson. He was
broad and liberal in his views, and lived
up strictly to the golden rule. He was
charitable, and was ever ready to open his
purse to any worthy appeal from suffering
humanity. Indeed, many were the recipi-
ents of his charity that the world never
knew of.
Thedesth of such man as Mr.. Towers
is loss to any community. In Anderson
he will be missed, and his place will be
hard to fill.
On Friday morning the funeral took
place at the Presbyterian Church, the SER
vices being conducted by the pastor, Rev.
]. N. Fl. Summerel, in the presence Of a
large congregation, after which the re-
mains were laid to rest in the Churchyard.
The deacons Of tho Church were the active
pall-bearers, while the elders, with few
other prominent citizens, acted as honorary
pail bearers.
Besides four daughters, the deceased
leaves one sister, Mrs. NJ. e. Archer, of
this city, one brother, Col. John r. Tow
ers, Of Georgia, and one hslf-sister, Mrs
McAfee, of Texas, aud in their sore be-.
reavement they have the sympathies of
all Our nannle