Cumberland County, Maine - Horace H. Towle
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Biography
Horace H. Towle
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 380-381


Horace H. Towle, General Baggage Agent of the Maine Central Railroad, with his
office at Portland, has held this responsible position since 1881, his long term
of service with this company, being indicative of the esteem heartily accorded
him by his employers. He was born February 7, 1852, at Epping, N.H., where his
great-grandfather Towle and his grandfather, Levi G. Towle, were pioneer
settlers.

Levi Towle, the father of Horace H., was born at Epping, N.H., February 4, 1819,
and died in the same town in December, 1881, his death being caused by an
accident. He followed the occupation to which he was reared, being engaged in
general farming during the greater part of his life. He married Caroline
Bartlett, daughter of Richard Bartlett, an old and respected resident of
Deerfield, N.H. She bore him six children, four of whom grew to maturity, as
follows: Levi F., now deceased; Mary Ann, wife of Charles W. Bean, of Brentwood,
N.H.; Horace H.; and Etta L., deceased. The mother is yet living, residing on
the old homestead. Though advanced in years, she is active and vigorous, and is
a devout member of the Baptist church.

Horace H. Towle was reared on the home farm; and, having completed his common
school education, he pursued his studies for a time at the Northwood Seminary
near by. Having no particular taste for agricultural pursuits, he was
subsequently engaged at different kinds of work until 1872, when he came to
Portland. For the first year thereafter Mr. Towle was employed on the street
railway; but in September, 1873, he entered the service of the Main Central
Railway Company, his first employment being general work. Being zealous and
faithful in the performance of his duties, he was soon promoted to the office of
baggage master at the old station, afterward having full charge of the baggage
room at Portland, from which place he was advanced to his present position in
1881. At that time this line was but three hundred and twenty-eight miles long,
against the eight hundred and thirty-one miles it now covers. His work and
responsibilities have correspondingly increased, Mr. Towle having charge of all
steamer connections, as well as the main line and its branches, with several
hundred employees to look after. Under his wise supervision many improved
methods of keeping records and of tracing baggage have been made, the value of
the office being greatly enhanced.

Mr. Towle is a man of prominence among railway officials and employees, and was
one of the promoters of the Maine Central Relief Association, he having been one
of its first Board of Directors and its Vice-President since its incorporation
in 1887. This organization has a membership of about seventeen hundred men, and
is under excellent management, both financially and socially. Mr. Towle is
likewise a member of the National and of the New England Associations of General
Baggage Agents. He has been among the leading Masons of Portland and this
vicinity for some time, being a member of Deering Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; of
Greenleaf Chapter; of the Portland Commandery, Knights Templars; and of the
Scottish Rites, including the Maine Consistory, thirty-second degree.
Politically, Mr. Towle sympathizes with the Democratic party, although he votes
independently.

On October 22, 1886, Mr. Towle was united in marriage with Miss Amelia
Homestead, daughter of Timothy Homestead, formerly a business man in Skowhegan,
but a resident of this city since 1870. Two children have been born of their
union, both sons; namely, Gerald Homestead and Horace H., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Towle
reside at 544 Cumberland Street, in a very pleasant portion of this beautiful
city. Mr. Towle is the owner of the ancestral homestead in Epping, N.H. The
dwelling house in which he was born was built by his grandfather, who
manufactured the brick used in its construction.