Harvey Tower Biography, Allegan County, Michigan Transcribed from the 1890 Oceana County Pioneers and Busines Men of Today Copyright © 2004 by Jan Cortez. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submittor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************ 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.