BIO: Isaac P. Towner, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 255-256.
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  TOWNER, ISAAC PRATT, was born in Rome, Bradford County, Pa., on 
December 26, 1822, and died in West Nicholson, Wyoming County, Pa., 
March 18, 1887.  He was buried in the Towner family burying ground on 
Towner Hill, about two miles from Rome.
  He was the son of Rev. Joseph Towner, a prominent Methodist preacher 
for many years.  He was converted when fourteen years of age.  He was 
given local preacher's license in 1854, and in 1856 he joined Wyoming 
Conference.  His ministry was followed by revivals, and frequently they 
were large ones.  During the last year of his life about one hundred 
souls were brought to Christ.  He was in the midst of a gracious work 
when he was called away.  He preached on Sunday, March 13, three times, 
and went home in a chill.  On the following Friday he passed away; 
pneumonia had done its fatal work.
  It is claimed that during his ministry he built six churches, 
purchased three parsonages, beside doing much in repairs.
  In 1847 he married Sally Jane Van Nest, who survived him until 
December 27, 1891, when she passed away.  Eight children were born to 
them.  While living at Mehoopany they buried four of them, three in one 
day.  Four survived them and are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1856-57, Little Meadows; 1858, 
Litchfield; 1859-60, Mehoopany; 1861-62, Wyalusing; 1863-66, sd.; 1867-
69, Fairdale; 1870, Union; 1871-73, Sanford; 1874-76, Harpursville; 
1877, Windsor; 1878-79, McDonough; 1880-82, Hale's Eddy; 1883-84, 
Herrick Center; 1885, Daleville and Union; 1886, West Nicholson.