Death of Judge James Towner. ---
AT twenty minutes past two o'clock on Wednesday last, Judge James Towner, of Patterson, breathed his last. He was a gentleman widely known, and universally respected for his talents, and beloved for the virtues which adorned his character. He had attained the ripe age of eighty-seven years, which were spent in a manner alike creditable to his mind and heart. He was an exemplary man in all the relations of life, and the important public trusts, frequently confided to him, were in variably discharged with ability and fidelity. He was elected County Clerk of Putnam county in 1820, and served one term. At the expiration of his term, he was elected to the bench of the Court of Common Pleas, under the old constitution, where he continued to preside until the year 1829 – his associates on the bench being Harry Garrison, Barnabus Carver, Stephen C. Barnum and Edward Smith, all long since gathered to their final home. He was then elected to the Legislature, where he served as the representative of this county from January 5 to April 20, 1830, his predecessor being Thomas W. Taylor, of Carmel, and his successor Bennett Boyd, of Kent. During his long and useful life be also held various other, public trusts, in both town and county, and discharged the duties of all in such a way as to command the approbation of political enemies as well as friends. Although not active in the latter years of his life, his sympathies and feelings were in full harmony with the Democratic party, of which he was a consistent and faithful member, and with which he acted, during his entire life. He leaves surviving him two sons and three daughters – James O. and Benj. A. Towner, of Albany; Emma, wife of Benj. V. Haviland, and Millison, wife of Dennis W. Palmer, and Mary L. Towner, unmarried, who continued to live with and watch over him till his death. We tender them our sincere sympathy. All who knew and appreciated the worth of deceased feel a profound sorrow. ---
THE PUTNAM, COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL SEPT. 17, 1870.