George J.Towns Towns

  Noted events in his life were:

• Notes for J. George TOWNS. John, George and William Thomas Towns were all born in the area of Asgarby, Lincolnshire, England (near Sleaford) during the period 1841-1851; the 1 st, 4th and 7th children respectively of a family of 14. Their father, John, was a farm laborer and their mother was Ann Bradley who was born and raised at Howell, only a few miles from Asgarby.

There is still uncertainty regarding the full name of George Towns and it is believed that his name was John George Towns. He is listed in the 1891 Ontario Census as John Towns, while Ella Mae Towns, grand-daughter of John Towns, curiously refers to George as 'Jake' in her 1990 2 page story of the life of her grandfather, John Towns. Jake may be a slang for John. As there were two Williams and two Elizabeth's in the family, it is possible that there were two Johns.

George and older brother John left Asgarby, in the Sleaford area of Lincolnshire, England, sometime in early to mid 1868 and endured a stormy voyage (writing of Mrs. Reuben Towns) on an old-fashioned ship before arriving in Canada, probably at Quebec City, and making their way to the Napanee area, Lennox County, Ontario. Before leaving England, it is known that John and George were working away from home. Brother William Thomas joined them in Canada in 1873.

To give some perspective to the year 1868, this was just one year after Confederation and Sir John A. MacDonald was Prime Minister. Thomas Whelan was hanged in Ottawa for the murder of one of the Fathers Of Confederation, Thomas Darcy McGee. This was two years before the Red River Rebellion, five years before the creation of the North West Mounted Police, two years before the creation of the Province Of Manitoba, and eight years before the building of the Intercontinental Railway from Halifax to Montreal. The Transatlantic Cable had been completed two years earlier with the new iron ship, The Great Eastern, laying a monster cable between Valentia in S. W. Ireland and Heart's Content, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Charles Goodyear developed the first rubber tire in 1869, gas lights had been installed in downtown Toronto 13 years earlier and General Custer would be killed at The Little Big Horn eight years after the lads arrived in Canada. So, these were truly historic times and times of great change in North America. The Towns boys would experience a Canada governed by Prime Ministers Sir John A. MacDonald, Alexander McKenzie, Sir John Thompson, McKenzie Bowell and Sir Wilfrid Laurier.

Upon arriving in Ontario, work was obtained with farmers in the area of Napanee. George, and possibly John, worked for a while with the Kibbey family. George's first year agreement was $125.00 for the year, plus board. Being well trained in English farming methods, and being both frugal and particular , the Towns men did well and became very close to the families they worked for, developing life-long friendships.

On 5 March, 1874, at Napanee, Ontario, George married a young lady, Elizabeth Patterson, who was of Scottish descent but had been born in Ontario. (A brother and sister and parents had come from either Edinburgh or Glasgow). Elizabeth had been working for a Firm at $4.00 per month and between the two of them the newlyweds had enough money to rent land and commence farming on their own. George and Elizabeth were blessed with a family of four sons and five daughters, all born in Ontario.

Life In Manitoba:

In the spring of 1893 the 'call of the west' attracted George and his family and they decided to move. George had visited Fort Garry, Manitoba, in 1871 to get a feeling for the province, and brother John had moved with his family to the Morden area of Manitoba between mid 1881 and about 1883.

George sold all of his belongings with the exception of four horses, two cows, and enough machinery, tools and household goods to begin farming in the West. All belongings were loaded into a boxcar and the family set out for Manitoba, initially stopping and staying with his believed-to-be-widowed sister-in-law, Mrs. John Towns, and her children at Morden, Manitoba.

Sons Fred and Reuben found work with local farmers in the Morden area. From this home base, George searched for land for a new home and finally, in the summer of the same year, settled on Section 12-3-19 in Morton Municipality, 2 miles south-west of Ninga, Manitoba, which he purchased from Mr. Fred Pascoe, who later moved to Killarney. He moved his family to Ninga, but left fifteen year old Reuben at Morden to work for a local farmer, Mr.Stevenson. Reuben's earnings, along with those of his brother Fred who worked when time permitted at various jobs in the Ninga area, were a help to George in getting established at Ninga. As per an article in the Killarney Guide of 16 May, 1984, William Thomas Towns recalled his father buying a shotgun to protect his family from the 'savages' which they had heard inhabited every homestead.

On 12-3-19 there were only a few buildings and sixty acres broken. Mr. Towns and son Fred broke the sod, George using a walking plough with three horses and Fred using one horse on a two-wing harrow. Apparently people were sometimes amused at the sight of the small outfit with the tall man (Fred was described as being 6 feet tall), but Fred remained unperturbed as he was well schooled in his fathers sayings, one of which was "every little bit added to what you have makes a little bit more". As work progressed Rueben was needed at home as Will was still young and attending Maple Grove school. Rueben came home but also worked for Mr. Fisher who farmed west of 12-3-19. (Mr. Fisher was the father of Mrs. John Brown of Killarney). George bought a second parcel of land, E8-2-16 in the Holmfield area, built a small cabin, a stable and a granary, and put his sons Reuben and William on it. The boys worked hard to break the majority of 320 acres, while they still helped on the Ninga farm as required. (Beverley Towns recalls that there were about 35 acres of land which were just too stony to be plowed).

To cut the first grain crops George Towns used two six foot binders, each pulled by two horses and one ox from his team of oxen.

In the winter, the boys drew wood from the Turtle Mountains to use in stoves and heaters, and for sale in town. They also went into the United States for lumber for their buildings. George insisted that all grain, animals and machinery be properly accommodated and nothing was left outside.

Eventually, a syndicate of three was formed to manage the farms" with Will managing the Ninga farm after George retired to 237 Lansdowne Ave. Winnipeg in 1916, taking daughter Nellie with him to keep house. In later years, brother William Thomas also lived in the same Household.

It is said that George Towns would not tolerate rough language around him. He never swore and would not allow it in his presence. He would not allow his family or working men to be dirty, unshaven or have open collars at his table. He was always tidy, trimmed and shaven. In order to save time he would often take a few minutes to shave before going to the field after dinner. He would tie a large handkerchief around his collar to keep the cultivation dirt from 'getting too close". He had smart business ways and a knack for getting things done. Edna Muldoon said that he would take a wagon and team and make a ten mile trip and back in less time than many a man with a truck. He didn't lose time in long-winded talk, was smart and to the point. As he was outspoken at times, he wasn't always popular.

The family experienced great sorrow when son George Leslie lost his life in an accident at the age of nine. He had gone out with a hired man to fetch the horses from the pasture, and the hired man went further afield to round up some strays and returned home without Leslie. The Alarmed family found him in the pasture, unconscious, apparently crushed down by the feet of a horse (known as the Charlie horse) which was known to have the bad habit of rearing and striking out with the front feet. He died at home that evening.

In 1904 another great sorrow was meted out to this family in the death of the mother, Elizabeth, also the result of an accident. She was in the company of a friend, Mrs. Osborne of Ninga, and was going to Killarney to visit another friend, Mrs. Milo Harris. Mrs. Osborne was driving the horse and buggy, and in coming along the old bush road south of Killarney Lake, a stick passed through the spokes of the buggy wheel heaving the buggy up on one side, frightening the horse and causing Mrs. Towns to fallout, resulting in a broken arm. She was taken to the Harris home and seen by a doctor. She was making good progress until a blood clot moved, resulting in her death one month short of her fifty-fifth birthday.

One year after his wife's death, George decided to make a return visit to England." 10 Nov., 1905, George Towns and daughter Carrie will leave on Friday of this week for an extended visit to his birth-place in England. Mr. Towns has been in this country for Thirty-six years and this will be his first visit back. A party in honor of his leaving was held at his residence on Wednesday evening of this week". It is announced in the Napanee paper that they "arrived in town on Tuesday, to spend a few days renewing familiar acquaintances. They are en-route to his old home in Lincolnshire, England which he left thirty years ago. He expects to be absent a year".

"1906- Mr. George Towns and daughter, Miss Carrie, of Ninga, Man. arrived in town last Monday and are visiting friends in Napanee and vicinity, on their return from a four month visit with friends in England".

CENSUS INFORMATION:

The 1901 Manitoba census for the municipality of Morton (Townships 1,2,& 3, Range 19, Page 14, items 30-40), shows George as 53 years of age and having emigrated from England in 1873. This 1873 date is incorrect and applies only to William Thomas. The 1868 date is supported by Winnipeg Newspaper articles when George was being interviewed on his 99th and 100 th birthday, and to a degree by the Ontario 1871 Census which shows both him and John in Canada.

The Ontario Census for 1881, for Lennox county , Earnesttown Township, shows all 3 Towns brothers living in the same general area with Thomas living with George and his family. It is apparent that John and George married quite close to each other, as can be seen by the birth date of the oldest child in each family. The families almost parallel each other re birth dates of the early children, as follows:

John Towns 40, born England.
George Towns, 33, born England.

Caroline 32, born Ontario, German descent.
Lizzie 32, born Ontario, Scottish.

John Alexander 7, born Ontario Edith 6, born Ontario.
Edith 6, born Ontario

William Thomas, 5, born Ontario.
Frederick Stephen, 4, born Ontario.

Susan Gertrude. 3, born Ontario.
Reuben 3, born Ontario.

George Leslie 3 months, born Ontario. (
Minnie Isabella would be born in another two months).

Source for the above is microfilm C-13236, Eamesttown Township, District 117, page 40 for John and page 53 for George), at the National Archives of Canada.

Neither John, George or Thomas were in this location for the 1891 Census; George was one township away (North Fredericksburg), with Thomas still with the family. This move happened before May, 1885, as William Thomas Towns was born in the new township. Archives film T -6350, page 18, item 97. At this time, John was either in the hospital at Omaha, Nebraska or at Canon City, Colorado, or in between these locations.

In the 1891 Ontario Census, taken 28 April, George is listed as John Towns. This is thought to be a possible first name and probably listed at the insistence of the Census taker. It is illogical, if George were his first name and the name he went by, that the census taker would want to list him by his second name!

The family was still residing in North Fredericksburg Township, Lennox County. All children were present with the exception of George Leslie, who would not be born in Ontario for another 6 1/2 months.

In the 1881 and 1891 Census, all members of George's family are shown as belonging to the Church Of England (Anglican), with the exception of' Lizzie' (Elizabeth Patterson) who is shown as Presbyterian. John's family only appears in Ontario in the 1881 Census and the family is all Church Of England, with the exception of Caroline who is not designated. However, Caroline appears as a widow in the 1891 Morden census with 'Salvation Army' as the religious designation.

Winnipeg Newspaper Articles:

99-year-old George Towns says moderation is secret of long life.

"Human beings are not usually included among those things which, like French wine and good stories, improve with the passing years, but an exception must be made in the case of George Towns, who is celebrating the 99th anniversary of his birth Thursday.

Mr. .Towns has not made any elaborate plans to celebrate the event, because, he says, he will have enough to do opening the many gifts and letters which he has received from old friends in Winnipeg, rural Manitoba and Ontario. In fact, Mr. Towns feels that he should have two birthday celebrations a year, so that he could more fully appreciate the proceedings.

Mr. Towns is not only in as good health as ever, but is improving in some respects. Until several years ago he wore glasses occasionally, but now when he reads the daily papers to keep abreast of current news, he finds them unnecessary. And to demonstrate his reading proficiency, Mr. Towns read a few paragraphs from the Napanee Beaver, a newspaper to which he is the oldest living subscriber , having bought his first copy of the paper over 70 years ago.

Mr.Towns, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1847, and has spent 77 years in Canada, had plenty of time to talk when called upon at his home at 237 Lansdowne Street. He was idle just now, he said. He had finished digging and planting his garden May 1, and the next season's coal supply he ordered a few days ago. Last year, he chuckled, he was "caught napping" by waiting until the winter. The new supply was carefully stowed away in the basement. Mr. Towns put several tons in the bin himself because he "was tired of loafing around".

As is customary with those who have far exceeded their allotted span of three score years and ten, Mr. Towns was asked to what he attributed his remarkable longevity. In answering, he stressed the value of moderation. "Too much goes in and comes out of young people's mouths these days", was his brief comment on the younger generation. He was all for temperance and claimed, "I wouldn't give a dollar for all of the beer in Winnipeg". Mr.Towns has lived here for 30 years, but when he first came to Canada in 1868 he settled in Ontario. In 1871 he visited Fort Garry, the future site of Winnipeg, and in 1893 he moved west to farm in the Killarney district in Manitoba.

He is still a farmer at heart and has helped every harvest time at the less strenuous tasks on his son's farm at Ninga, Manitoba. He has three sons; Fred of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Reuben of Holmfield, Manitoba, and William of Ninga, and three daughters, Mrs. H. Allen, Thornhill, Manitoba, Mrs. N. Reynolds, 238 Belmont Avenue, West Kildonan, and Helen at home".

Another Article:

"George Towns died in the Winnipeg Grace hospital on Tuesday, 28 December, at the age of 101 years and 7 months: A funeral service was held on Thursday, 31 December, at the A.B. Gardiner funeral home in Winnipeg, with Dr. D.G. Carlson officiating. Following the service, Mr. Town's body was taken to Ninga for a 'final rites' service which was held on Saturday, 1 January, 1949 at the Presbyterian Church, Ninga, Manitoba, with Reverend Kenneth Knight officiating".

Obituary notices were published in the Killarney Guide on 13 January, 1949 and the Winnipeg Free Press on Wednesday, 29 December, 1948.

He is buried next to his brother, William Thomas Towns, in the Ninga cemetery; William Thomas had died 12 years earlier.

Grandson. George Mallory Towns, Winnipeg, Manitoba, is in possession of a picture of his Grandfather taken at F. Upton, 24 Southgate, Sleaford, England in June, 1906, along with his aunt Caroline, 16 at the time. This is very interesting as all known immediate family in England were deceased by 1904, with the exception of sister Ellen's family (Mr. Walter Barlow and their 2 children). Ellen had died in 1900. Provides incentive for more research.

The Thomas F. Upton photography studio was established at Sleaford sometime between 1900- 1905, and was still in existence in 1937. The earliest studio in Sleaford was established in 1861. It is still hoped that more photographs can be located in the library at Lincoln; there are none in the Archives from the studio collections.

George's father was John Towns of Asgarby, Lincolnshire, born Aunsby, Lincolnshire, 1818. There exists a photo of John Towns taken at Blackpool, England. Again, George Mallory Towns has this picture.

More About J. GEORGE TOWNS:
Fact 5. 1916, Retired to Winnipeg
Fact 6: Jan 1, 1949, Sunday, funeral- Ninga Presbyterian church.
Fact 7: Jan 1, 1949, Buried in Ninga cemetery, western side.
Fact 8. Farmed 12-3-19 at Ninga. Also owned E8-2-16.
Fact 9: 1871, Does not appear in Ontario Census, believed to be living with Kibby family.

George married Elizabeth (Mary) Paterson on 5 Mar 1874 in Lennox County, Ontario. (Elizabeth (Mary) Paterson died on 25 Aug 1904.)