J. H. Towles, a leading merchant of Onward, was born May 1, 1854, in Warren County, a son of John W. and Lucinda (Wilson) Towles. The father was born March 31, 1819, in Warren County, Tenn., where his father, Joseph Towles, a Virginian, emigrated in 1818. The mother was born November 4, 1824, and died in July, 1865. They are thought to have been of English descent. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a liberal education. About the time of. his majority, he engaged in the merchandise business in Smithville. October 20, 1875, he moved his stock to Towles’ Mills, now known as Jesse. In 1879 he went to Cross Roads, Warren County, and remained until October 20, 1884, when he came to Onward, where he has been most successful. He was the first to build at this place, and has done much toward its improvement and advancement. Through his efforts the high school was established in 1886. He is a valuable and highly respected citizen, a member of the Christian Church, and a stanch Democrat. March 14, 1877, he married Miss Emma J., daughter of Christopher C. and Lavenia (Hudson) Zwingle, of Irish descent. To this union four children have been born: Mary E., Oliver J., Lavenia L. and Baxter Benton. Mrs. Towles is an earnest member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.