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Acton Memorial Library |
Civil War Records of George L. Towne
Obituary for George L. Towne
Concord Enterprise, May 1, 1940
Last Civil War Veteran of Acton Succumbs at 97
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Commander George L. Towne Was Commended for Bravery;
Full Military Honors Accorded Him
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WEST ACTON-- Full military honors were accorded Commander George L. Towne, last Civil War Veteran of this town, who passed away Thursday at services held in his home Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
In addition to hosts of friends, neighbors and relatives, Dudley Page of Lowell State Commander of the G.A.R. attended as did delegations from Charles A. Welch Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Maynard of which Mr. Towne was a member, members of the Woman’s Relief Corps, Edwards-Quimby Post, A.L. and Auxiliary. A guard of honor members of the Legion post was posted at the bier throughout the funeral service conducted by Rev. Andrew K. Torsleff, a friend of many years and pastor of the Medford Hillside Universalist church.
Ivan D. Servieas, commander of Mansfield Post, A.L. of Concord and other Legionnaires from surrounding towns added their tribute by their presence.
The flag-covered casket was borne from late home where the services were held by members of the local Legion Post, who acted as pall bearers. They were, Comrades, Lowden, Pendergast, Roe, Merriam, Benere and Cram.
Color bearers were, Comrades Reed, Harris and Briggs and the color guard consisted of Comrades, Brundage and Sullivan.
At the grave in Mount Hope cemetery, West Acton, a squad from Fort Devens fired a volley over the grave and taps were sounded by Everett Montague, P.C. of Edward-Quimby Post, A.L and a comrade from the Concord Post.
Last Civil War Veteran
One of Acton’s grand old men, George L. Towne, beloved and esteeemd by the whole community, passed away quietly at his home on Homestead street, West Acton on Thursday morning after a period of several weeks of failing health.
Mr. Towne was the last surviving member of Capt. Isaac Davis Post, G.A.R. of Acton and had been commander for several years.
He was born at Crown Point, N.Y., June 4, 1843 and would have observed his 97th birthday in a few weeks. He had made his home here for the past 27 years, coming here from Waltham where he had followed his trade of carpenter, builder and cabinet maker.
In recent years he devoted his skill to making many small pieces of furniture for the children of the neighborhood. His handy-work in the past few years included some rare pieces of furniture with tops made of inlaid woods some with many hundreds of pieces.
In 1862 he enlisted in the 5th New York cavalry and served 34 months until August 1865 when he was honorably discharged. He was wounded by a sabre cut and a bullet hit him in the thigh in fighting at Hagerstown, Md, when only 35 of the 65 men in his command returned. He fought throughout the battle of Gettysburg and for bravery in action near Statsburg, Va., he was commended by Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks for obtaining information of the enemy’s activities when he was on messenger assignment. He had secured information so valuable it enabled Gen. Banks to save his entire command. After his discharge he married Emily F. Durkee who passed away a few years ago.
Mr. Towne’s nearest relatives are three grandchildren, Miss Gertrude F. Towne, George H. Towne both of Roslindale and Mrs. Helen L. Meagher of Boston.
News item
Concord Enterprise, January 12, 1921
