"MOTHER OF 12 CHILDREN IS BURIED"
The funeral of rMs. [sic] William E. Towner, who died suddenly Saturday afternoon, was held Tuesday from the Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. Thompson officiating. Interment was in Washington Lawn cemetery.
Mrs. Towner's maiden name was Francis Johnson. She was born near Seaforth, Ont., Canada in the year 1854, from whence she moved with her parents to Harrisville, Alcona County, Mich., at the age of 13 years. There she met Wm. E. Towner and in 1869 became his bride. In 1875 the couple joined the Methodist church and have been members and faithful workers since that time. In 1881 they moved west to Humbolt, Humbolt County, Iowa, thence to South Dakota in the spring of 1883 and from there to Centralia in 1891 where they have since resided. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband and twelve children all of whom live in or near Centralia and Chehalis. They are Mrs. Rachael Rhodes, Mrs. Jennie Mitcheal, Arthur Towner of Centralia, Mrs. Annie Randall of Salzer Valley, George Towner and Rueben Towner near Kopiah, Mrs. Alice Irish and Mrs. Florence Mulford of Chehalis and Mrs. Margaret Smith, Miss Grace Towner and Milo and Lily Towner living at the home in Salzer Valley.
She also leaves a brother, John Johnson of the Hannaford and a brother and two sisters in Alcona county, Mich., besides a great many other relatives. There are 26 grand children.
Source: The Centralia Daily Chronicle, Friday, 25 Nov 1910, front page.
Transcribed by Jenny Tenlen. Margaret Church is researching this family.