Harvey Tower was born in Rutland Co., VT., March 3, 1817. He received his education
at the common schools, Prof. Allen's school at Vergennes and the Troy Conference
Academy at West Poultney, Vt. He came to Jackson Co., Mich., in Oct., 1839, and made
teaching his principal occupation for six years. He then moved to Barry Co. and
engaged in mercantile business. In 1846 he was married to Miss Laura L. Mallette, of
Woodland, Barry Co. In 1850 he came with his family to Oceana Co., where he has since
been engaged in making shingles, shingle bolts, and in saw mill business. In 1865 he
commenced his present occupation, farming.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tower, eleven children have been born: Ru (deceased), Emma (Huston),
Ada (Hanson), Lee, Don, Uri, Ina (deceased) Effie, Emmor and Joseph.
Though seldon an aspirant for official honors, Mr. Tower has been elected to the
offices of County Clerk (being the first county clerk of the county), Judge of
Probate, County Treasurer, and was declared elected to the office of Ciounty Surveyor
by the Board of Canvassers, but declined to qualify, not thinking himself legally
elected. He has also held the offices of Supervisor of Benona, Claybanks and Grant
Townships; and was a ppointed and served as census enumerator of Grant and Otto in
1880, and of Grant in 1884. Mr. Tower has had an influence in the history of this
county that will be felt as long as the county endures.
Mrs. Laura L. Tower was born in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Mich., Feb. 18, 1829. At
that time Ypsilanti was a mere hamlet. When thirteen years of age she moved with her
parents to Woodland, Barry Co., Mich. When only fourteen years of age she commenced
teaching, being the first teacher in Woodland. From that time until her marriage she
followed the profession. She was married to Harvey Tower Dec. 16, 1846; and has
since, like all true and loyal wives, followed the fortunes of her husband. Mrs.
Tower has seen pioneer life, and experienced its discomforts and hardships in three
different counties of our State, which is a rare occurrence for a lady of her age. It
seems a waste of words for us to say that now she is widely known and universally
loved and respected.
