"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the

land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

GO WITH YOUR FAMILY, SIR!

CARL VERNON TOWER

Collegeville, Penn.

HEN the hero of Disraeli's "Coningsby" ventured upon a certain occasion to express an opinion of his own, he was met by the rebuke of his grandfather, "You go with your family, sir, like a gentleman; you are not to consider your opinions, like a philosopher or a political adventurer."

The present writer, like the hero of "Coningsby," has too often ventured upon mere opinions, regarding the past and present condition of that ancient and honorable science termed "Genealogy," and of the opportunities which a numerous, intelligent, and well-organized family like our own may find for converting it into something having intelligible connection with sister sciences, and real bearing upon the real problems of everyday life in which everyday men and women are interested.

For, after all, we have to learn what things are by doing them. We were Republicans, or Democrats, Baptists, or Episcopalians, Methodists, or United Brethren, long before we ventured to ask ourselves why we were one or the other-if we ever did ask the question-and evolution has in like manner decreed that we should be genealogists and members of genealogical societies before raising and satisfying speculative doubts as to the whither and wherefore of genealogy.

So it is with a distinct feeling of relief that I turn from genealogical adventuring in Introductions hortatory, didactic, or expository, and, going with my family, sirs, like a gentleman, lay before you quite a simple and orthodox conception of our need.

I say need (in the singular) advisedly; for while a genealogical society like our own may in time discover many needs, there is obviously but one need at present and for us, if we do but heed the many voices that clamor on all sides. Your own is perhaps one of these. It is not for you, then, that the coming announcement is to be made, but for you others who, with all your loyalty to the Tower family and its Society, have for sufficient reasons been unable to keep in close touch with the Society and its development since that memorable year of its beginning, 1909. Briefly,

WE NEED A TOWER GENEALOGY

"But have we not a 'Tower Genealogy'?" I hear some one say, No, Gentle Reader, we have not! Towers aforetime, to whom the expression “Gentle Reader" was not a stranger as to us, had a "Tower Genealogy." We have none; we have only their "Genealogy."

"But by the same argument," say you, "We haven't any Bible!"

Well, you may be right. Agree with thine adversary quickly," the same Book tells us. How much more quickly should one agree with a brother in T.G.S.! But I absolutely refuse to be drawn into religious controversy, which was never to my liking. Besides, there is the censor to be considered. You may say, if you like as the tradition that this is a free country still lingers among us-that the Nicene Creed and the Westminster Confession and the King James version and "Science and Health" will be as suitable to the needs and understanding of the post-quarternary supersavage who shall one day tread a wilderness of America as for us; but however that may be, you cannot stay the processes of time and of generation, nor can you make a Genealogy of the past century useful in the present, excellent though it may have been in its time, unless you throw it a life-line and establish a connection.

Things have happened since 1885, beyond which date, says our Secretary, the "Tower Genealogy" records few names. And since that time many Towers have

been born; are now being born-ask again the Secretary-at the rate of three a day. Since 1885 many Towers have lived, have married and given in marriage. Alas! the same Towers-some of them-have died. Of all this those Towers who were passing out of the "Gentle Reader" into the Oscar Wilde and late Victorian era knew nothing. Hence, of all this they wrote nothing. Therefore, our duty is obvious.

SHALL WE ALLOW THE GAP TO WIDEN?

Then doubly do we wrong those who committed so excellent a book as the "Tower Genealogy" to our charge: first, by throwing no life-line to the past whereof it speaks, to connect that past with ourselves and make it function in our present for our own benefit and for the benefit of future generations, through the links that we can supply; second, by speaking of that book as OUR "Genealogy." Turn to Matthew XXV, 24-30, for there you shall read my whole argument and discover what happened to the man who went and hid his talent in the earth, doing nothing, venturing nothing with that which his Lord had given him, thus denying the use and the very reality of the gift.

Out of the past we have come, and from the past we must learn all that can serve us for guidance in the future. If "attention to family and local history, emphasis on genealogy, open channels for the descent of family traditions and create a sentiment for the past," it is plain that only records adequately revised and completed from time to time can properly preserve for our posterity these things which are of greatest value. So it is just because the "Tower Genealogy" that we profess to own, but into the possession of which we shall not truly come until we have done our best to enlarge and complete it, was so excellent a genealogy after its kind, that we now urge upon the members of this Society and upon all Towers into whose hands this Report shall fall the immediate necessity of utilizing the well-nigh complete data now available for the compilation and publication of a Second Tower Genealogy.

With this foreword I leave the interesting details of the-let us say-forthcoming "Tower Genealogy to be featured competently by the Secretary of the Society, who by years of unremitting labor has made possible its publication. On page 9 of this general Report his own may be found. Read it, and in the fuller realization of the need which confronts us, buckle to your task of devising ways and means, having determined to "go with your family" like gentlemen.

POEM

"Stand by the flag, on land and ocean billow,
By it your fathers stood, unmoved and true,
Living, defended, dying, from their pillow,
With their last blessing, passed it on to you.

"Stand by the flag, all doubt and treason scorning.
Believe, with courage firm, and faith sublime,
That it will float until the eternal morning,
Pales in its glories all the lights of time."

-By EDMUND W. BURCH, Member No. 378.

W

At South Hingham, Massachusetts

July 30th, 1921

E gathered, one hundred and fifty strong, on July 30th, at the Old Homestead in Hingham, to celebrate the eighth Reunion of the Tower Family. Towers from all over the country were looking forward to this occasion, and it seemed as though it came at a proper time in that it was also the date set for the Tercentenary of the Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. We thought that it would bring a lot of Towers from the West, but owing to abnormal conditions, high railroad fares, etc., we were a little disappointed in this respect.

However, those who came felt well repaid as we all had a very pleasant time. The many general, cordial and hearty greetings testified to the pleasure enjoyed in another opportunity to meet and exchange experiences since our last gathering. The many recollections of earlier meetings, the pleasant times we enjoyed together, the many new friendships formed growing stronger with the passage of years, seem to have carried out the wishes of our deceased past president, when he

said, with all sincerity, "I hope that the Society will continue with increasing interest."

We registered at the Old Homestead in the morning and from there we were taken, in automobiles, to the Wilder Memorial Hall, in South Hingham, to participate in the usual exercises, annual meeting, and, of course, the much thought of shore dinner." One hundred sat down to the dinner which was enjoyed by all. After the dinner we all returned to the Old Homestead, where a splendid group picture was taken of those assembled. Upon returning to the hall, a short address was given by the Rev. Mr. Peardon of the South Hingham Congregational Church, much enjoyed by all. After the address, a brief business meeting was called. Mr. John Ibrook Tower, son of Mr. George W. Tower, who now owns and occupies the Old Home, invited the Towers to hold their next reunion at Hingham, but our president expressed the wish that we might meet in some western city. It was voted to place a bronze tablet on the Tower monument, in the High Street cemetery, in memory of our past president, Mr. George W. Tower, commemorating the founding of the society by him.

After the meeting, we all returned to the Old Homestead again, where we passed a pleasant evening, in renewing old acquaintances, and lookng forward to the next reunion, when it is hoped that we may all gather together again in the bonds of love and fraternity.

SARAH (HEALD) TOWER,

Chairman of Reunion Committee.

HISTORY OF YOUR NAME

LATOUR

VARIATIONS-Tour, Towers, Tower.
RACIAL ORIGIN-French and English.
SOURCE-A locality.

If you know French and just separate the two elements of the family name of Latour into “La Tour" you have the key to its origin, which is exactly the same as that of the English names of Tower and Towers.

Perhaps it was the very ease with which these family names could have been formed in the Middle Ages that is responsible for their not being more widespread today than they are. Towers were quite plentiful in the Middle Ages, both in France and in England. Nothing could be more natural than to speak of "Geoffrey de la Tour," or "Walter atte Tour." And the reason that the names are not more frequently met with today, though they are by no means rare, is probably that there would be more than one Geoffrey or Walter at any given "tour," or perhaps so many "tours" that the word was not always sufficiently distinctive.

The full original form of the French name was, as indicated, "de la Tour.” In virtually all instances time has brought about an elimination of the "de" and in some cases of the "la." The more English form of Tower needs no further comment. But the "s" on Towers does not represent an original "son." It is merely a euphonic addition.

-Public Ledger.

Philadelphia, January 4th, '22.

FELLOW MEMBERS:

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

New York, December 31, 1921.

We are sending you our greetings and well wishes, together with a Report of the Society's doings covering the years 1919, 1920 and 1921. This report covers a three years' period as it was necessary owing to the last Reunion being held in the third year in order to harmonize with the Pilgrim Celebration, which was originally set for 1920 but moved along to 1921.

This year's Reunion held at the Old Homestead was successful and all of those who attended apparently had an enjoyable time. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance was somewhat reduced.

You will notice photo cuts of our new officers and although our Treasurer has held that office for some years back and our new Vice President was a member of the Executive Board for a number of years, we have never had their pictures so that you could see how good looking they really are. We are very glad to have Mrs. Sarah Heald Tower back with us again on the Board; a position which she held in the early years. Many of you will readily recall the pleasant and gracious greetings that she has always met us with at our Reunions held at the Old Homestead. While Mr. Martin Eugene Smith is the new member of the Executive Board, he has been a very faithful worker in Society matters from the very first as he is one of our oldest members.

With this report, you will find question pages No. 1 and No. 2. In No. 1, you will notice a summary of the results of replies that you made to the Questionnaire sent you some few years ago. The No. 2 page is a new set of questions and we would like to have you closely examine and send in answers and trust that a goodly number of replies may be received.

The most urgent and serious matter that the Society now has before it is that of preparing and issuing a Second Volume of the Tower Genealogy. While the major portion of the data for this volume has been secured, it is yet to be compiled and be prepared for the printer. There is also additional data necessary to be secured. To do this funds are needed and you will find an appeal circular accompanying the Report. Please give this matter careful attention and make such contributions as you can. All of these contributions, no matter how small, will be very acceptable and help the cause accordingly. As soon as sufficient funds have been received or pledged we plan to promptly start on the final compilation and we trust that the cause will be of sufficient interest to you so that the replies to this appeal may be prompt and sufficient to start the work in the very near future.

The Necrology List is large with this Report and we must endeavor to create interest so that new members may be added to replace our losses by death. I hope that with your help we may be able to interest the younger generation in the matter of their ancestry so that they will desire to join our Society.

In the year 1923 you will likely desire to hold another Reunion and it is not too early to begin to give thought to this matter. Consequently we should be glad to hear from you with suggestions as to time and place for holding such a Reunion. I personally feel that this next Reunion should be held somewhere in the middle west and hope that our members from that district may become interested in a movement for this purpose. The Reunion that was held in 1912 in Detroit, Michigan was one of the most enthusiastic Reunions we have held.