Thomas Jefferson Towles

Thomas Jefferson Towles, the youngest of seven children born to William and Elizabeth (Jones) Towles, was born on December 29, 1843, in Jones County, Georgia. After losing his father in 1847 and his mother in 1854, he came to Van Zandt County, Texas, in 1857 with his older brother, Adam T. Towles, who settled and farmed near Canton. He was educated at a private subscription school in Canton and at McKenzie College near Clarksville while also assisting Adam with the farm. At age 17, he entered the Confederate Army in the Third Texas Cavalry as a private in Company G, South Kansas-Texas Regiment, one of its first units to serve outside Texas. In May 1862, he was promoted to 2nd Lt. in charge of a company of cavalry scouts, eventually assigned to Ross's Brigade. He took part in many well-known battles, including Vicksburg, and in skirmishes in northern Georgia, and during this time he became one of General Ross' most confidential advisors. On February 14, 1864, while on furlough from the army, he married Nancy Ann Nolan in Georgia. After the war, he returned to Van Zandt County, where he became one of the more influential citizens of Canton and Van Zandt County as a large farmer and stock raiser, a gin operator, a liquor dealer, grocer, and mercantile store owner. He also served as county sheriff, tax collector, and a representative in the 15th and 21st Texas Legislatures. In Canton's County Seat War of 1877, he led and won a legal battle against an election that had caused the county seat to be removed from Canton to Wills Point. The father of seven children, he died on January 21, 1909, leaving a lasting legacy of service to his community.

Canton, Texas · United States