Bester Coleman Towne and Betsey M. Martin

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Husband Bester Coleman Towne ¹

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            AKA: Bester Town 2
           Born: 20 Aug 1794 - Granville, Washington Co, NY 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 2 Dec 1870 4
         Buried: 

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         Father: Joseph Town (1761-      ) 5
         Mother: Hannah Coleman (      -      ) 1

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       Marriage: 22 Sep 1816 3

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Wife Betsey M. Martin ^{1 2}

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           Born: Abt 1794 - Vermont
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt 1871
         Buried: 

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Children

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1 M Morris C. Towne ¹

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            AKA: M. C. Town 4
           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Hannah S. Oviatt (      -      ) 1

         Spouse: Maria Selkregg (      -      ) 1

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2 M B. C. Town ⁴

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           Born: 16 Jun 1820 - Granville, Washington Co, NY 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Juliette Burdick (      -      ) 4
           Marr: 7 Aug 1841 4

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3 M Benjamin Franklin Towne ⁶

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            AKA: B. F. Town 4
           Born: 11 May 1822 - Granville, Washington Co, NY
     Christened: 
           Died: 22 Oct 1893 - North East, Erie Co, PA
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Elizabeth S. Pratt (      -1910) 6

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4 M John J. Town ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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5 F Mary T. Town ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1884
         Buried: 

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6 M William Martin Town ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Bef 1884
         Buried: 

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7 M George W. Town ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Bef 1884
         Buried: 

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8 M Joseph I. Town ²

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           Born: 15 Apr 1831 - Erie Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Ruth M. Andrews (      -1862) 3
           Marr: 1854 3

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General Notes: Husband - Bester Coleman Towne

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In 1824, he moved to Erie County, Pennsylvania, and bought 100 acres of land where the village of North East was later located. He successfully engaged in many enterprises, and was for years associated with his sons in mercantile business. In 1846, he invested in western lands, from which he realized large profits. In 1864, he united with Hon. Orange Noble and others in establishing the Keystone National Bank of Erie, of which he was one of the Directors, from date of the first election up to the time of his death, his business experience adding largely to the success of the institution. He was prompt, energetic and persevering in all his business engagements, decided, fearless and outspoken in his political views. He was opposed to slavery, and was a member of the first Anti-slavery Society, and was a warm and active supporter of the Government during the whole period of the rebellion.

He and his wife came to Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1824, settling in North East Township. He was engaged in farming, hatting (though not a hatter by trade), hotel keeping and general merchandising, all being carried on successfully at the same time, he held a leading position in mercantile trade.

He was a director of the Bank of Erie, Pennsylvania. His family had been connected with banking interests for a number of generations.

1 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915), Pg 1309.

2 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 963, BS 151.

3 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 963.

4 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), BS 151.

5 —, The History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner Beers & Co., 1885), Pg 727.

6 John Elmer Reed, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Topeka, KS-Indianapolis, IN: Historical Publishing Company, 1925), Pg 949.