Willliam K. Towles, Sr., now deceased, was a prominent citizen and well known Stockman and farmer of Cairo township, Randolph County, and one of the honored pioneer settlers of this county. He was born in Howard County. May 29; 1843, and came to Randolph County with his parents that same year. They were Stokley and Mary (El1is) Towles both of whom passed the rest of their lives here and were buried on the home place. They had five children : William K., Sr., Port, Thomas, Mrs. Nannie Grady and .Mary, married George Towles and all are deceased. William Towles, Sr., was reared in Cairo township and when his school days were over engaged in farming. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted .in the Confederate army and served four years, being wounded three times, first with a saber during a skirmish at Independence, Mo., and he was shot twice at the battle of lexington, Mo. After peace was declared, Mr. Towles returned to Randolph County and resumed farming. On Sept.. 24, 1871, he married Miss Martha G. Godding and they had the following children : Richard, of Batesville. Ark.; William K Jr. of this review; Mollie, the wife of William Sims, of Moberly ; Jennie, at home ; Jackson, at home, and Annie, the wife of A. .W. Hinton. of Moberly. William K. Towles, Sr., devoted his time and energies to his farm endeavors and became one of the prominent stockmen and feeders of this section of Missouri. With his sons William , Jr., and Jackson, they owned 970 acres of land. Wm. K., Sr.. Towles died March 24. 1921, and was buried at Oakland cemetery. He was a member of the Baptist church for more than 30 years, being a member at Pleasant Hill. He was a Democrat. William K Towles, Jr., was reared on the home farm, received his education in the district schools and then with his father and brother Jackson, began farming on an extensive scale. For 15 years this: partnership continued until the death of the father and since that time the two brothers have continued the business. They are wide awake stocksmen and feeders as well as progressive fanner, and keep about 150 head of cattle each year, 30 head of horses and mules and now have 150 head of Shropshire sheep, and about 300 head ol cattle. The place is well improved. One barn, 80x120 feet has a concrete foundation and is considereal one of the best barns in the county. It has a loft with a capacity of 100 tons of hay and a basement 100 feet long for sack. A second barn was built with a silo and the third, 60:80 feet, has a basement under the entire structure with a silo built on the inside. In addition there are several smaller barns on the farm and other buildings. The Towles land lies in three townships, Salt River, Cairo and Chariton and the brothers also own the John Mason farm of 125 acres. Recently the Towles brothers purchased a fine coach stallion, ''Ulex,'' and they have registered males at the head of their herd. There are six residence: on the various pieces of land used by the family and for tenant farmers. William K. Towles, Jr., has for some years taken an active part in the public affairs of his district. He is now township commite-man of the Democratic party for Cario-township. (Waller, Alexander, "History of Randolph County" pages 394-395; Historical Publishing Co., 1920: Topeka. KS ) ---------------------------------- Canote and Towles Genealogy http://www.geocities.com/towlescanote --------------------------------