San Francisco County
Biographies
ASA P. TOWNER
ASA P. TOWNER, a California
pioneer of 1853, and one of the substantial farmers and dairymen of Marin county, came here in 1863, locating on his present farm of a
thousand beautiful acres two and a half miles east of San
Rafael, the situation overlooking the great bay
of San Francisco. The farm is devoted to dairying and poultry raising, with a few acres of orchard. He has had as many as a hundred cows at one
time. The products of his dairy he has
sold principally in San Francisco.
Mr. Towner’s
early life was passed on his father’s farm in Boxford, Essex
county, Massachusetts,
where he was born, November 24, 1825. He learned the carpenter’s trade in his
native State, and followed that calling for many years. His parents, Samuel and Charlotte Towner,
were both natives of Massachusetts,
and of the old and influential families of that State, Asa
being the ninth in a family of twelve children.
January 20, 1853, he
took passage from New York, by
way of Panama,
for California, on the old steamers
Ohio and Golden Gate,
arriving February 19. He followed his
trade until 1857, when he removed across the bay to Oakland
and carried on business as a contractor and builder until 1863, at which time
he came to Marin county, and has since been considered
one of the prominent dairymen. During
his residence here he has been Road Master six years. He also takes an interest in school matters
and all enterprises that have for their object the welfare of the
community. Politically he is a staunch
and progressive Republican. He is still
unmarried and affiliates with no secret order.
He is a gentleman of retiring and modest disposition, and one who is
highly respected by his friends and neighbors.
Transcribed 7-22-05 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 251-2, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2005 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library