Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/196

This page needs to be proofread.

TOWER


TOWER


^^(^t*f»ta^t^*^^:r5


TOWER, Charlemagne, diplomat, was born Philadelphia, Pa.. April 17. 1S48; son of Charle- niaf,Mie ami Amelia Malviua (Boitte) Tower, and a descendant of Jolin Tower, who settled in Hing- ham, Mass., iu 1037. He attended a military academy in New Haven, Phillips acad- emy at Exeter, N.H., 15?Gr)-68, and was graduated at Harvard in 1872. He studied in Spain, France and Germany, 1873- 75, and traveled through Sweden,

Russia, Turkey and Greece, and thence to Egypt, crossing the Holy Land on horseback. He re- turned to America in 1876, was admitted to the bar in 1878. and in 1882 removed to Duluth, Miim., where he was president of the Duluth and Iron Range railroad, and director of the Minnesota Iron company, 1882-87. He returned to Philadelphia in 1887; was married, Feb. 8, 1888. to Helen, daughter of G. Frank and Susan (Rising) Smith of Oakland, Cal., and began his historical and literary work in 1891. He was appointed U.S. minister to Austria, March 29, 1897. and througli the trying times of the Spanish- American war, filled his position with such marked ability that on Jan. 10, 1899, he was ap{>ointed U.S. ambassador to Russia, and on Sept. 25. 1902, on the resignation of Ambassador White. U.S. ambassador to Germany. Before leaving Russia, Mr. Tower had a farewell audience with the Czar at Livadia on Nov. 19. 1902, and afterward lunched with his Majesty and the Czarina. He presented the Philadelphia library with a valuable collection of 2500 Russian books. He was made a member of the American Philo- sophical society, of the Academy of Natural Sciences, and of the American Institute of Min- ing Engineers. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Lafayette college in 1894, and is the author of: Marquis de La Fayette in the American Resolution (1895).

TOWER, Zealous Bates, soldier, was born in Cohasset, Mass., Jan. 12, 1819; son of Nichols and .Anna (Bates) Tower; grandson of Levi and Priscilla (Nichols) Tower, and of Zealous and Abigail (Nichols) Bates, and a descendant of John Tower, who was baptized in Hingliam, Eng- land. May 14, 1609, and became a resident of Hingham. Mass., in 1637. Zealous Bates Tower was graduated from the U.S. Military acad- emy in 1841, first in his class, and commissioned


2d lieutenant, corps of engineers. In 1842 he was recalled to the Military academy as assistant pro- fessor of engineering, later worked on the de- fences of Hampton Roads, Va., and served in the war with Mexico. He was brevetted 1st lieuten- ant, April 18, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and six days later was promoted to that rank. He took part in the reconnaissance of San Antonio, and at the battle of Contreras he led the storming column, receiving the brevet of captain for gal- lantr}'. He fought at Molino del Rey; was wounded in the storming of Chapultepec, and took part in the capture of the City of Mexico. He was brevetted major for gallantry at Chapul- tepec, and after his return to the United States, was engaged in coast defense and harbor improv- ment, being promoted captain in the corps of en- gineers, July 1, 1855, for fourteen years of con- tinuous service. He served on various boards until Feb. 20, 1861, when he was made chief en- gineer in the defense of Fort Pickens, Fla. He was promoted major in the corps of engineers, Aug. 6, 1861, and on Nov. 23, 1861, was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for services during the defense of Fort Pickens, and on the same date was com- missioned brigadier-general of volunteers; com- manding the second brigade in Rickett's division, McDowell's corps. He fought at Cedar Moun- tain, Aug. 9, 1862; being brevetted colonel, U.S.A., for this battle; was engaged at Rappa- hannock station, Aug. 20 and 21; at Thorough- fare Gap, Aug. 28, and at Manassas, Aug. 30, 1862. In the engagement at Manassas, while moving to support Gen. R. C. Schenck, General Tower was wounded, and General Pope said: "I have always considered it a misfortune to the country tiiat in this action, General Tower re- ceived a severe wound which disabled him from active service. He is a man of superior abilities, zealous and full of spirit, and might easih' liave expected to serve his country in a much higher position than the one he held on the field." Gen- eral Tower was on sick leave of absence, 1862-64; was superintendent of the Military academy-, July-September, 1864, and then became chief en- gineer of the defenses of Nashville. He was brevetted brigadier-general, U.S.A., IMarch 13, 1865. for Groveton, Va., and on the same date, major-general, U.S.A., for services in the field during the rebellion, and was brevetted major- general of volunteers, June 12, 1865, for services during the rebellion. He was chief engineer of the military division of the Missi.ssippi. and July, 1865, became chief engineer in the military di- vision of Tennessee. He was promoted lieuten- ant-colonel in the corps of engineers, Nov. 11. 1865, and was mustered out of the volunteer service, Jan. 15, 1866. He was engaged in har-