Portraits of Two Benefactors of the Porter High School Found and Identified

George W. Towle (1829 – 1917)

While clearing out the old Porter High School / Porter Town Hall building in preparation for demolition last spring, two large framed portraits were found tucked away and forgotten, a little battered and unidentified. They were rescued and brought to the Historical Society for identification.  Since we had recently been researching the history of Porter High School we knew right away who they were. Both of these men were outstanding former residents of Kezar Falls and had left substantial endowments totaling $56,000 in trust funds for the maintenance of the high school that was to be built in 1919.  For that reason their portraits must have been hung in a place of honor in the new high school.  As years passed the significance of these portraits was forgotten and they were removed and put away.  The first was George W. Towle who left $36,000 in a trust fund that still exists today.

George W. Towle lived in Porter and Parsonsfield all his life, was a successful businessman and played a major role in the development of the Kezar Falls area.  He was active in Parsonsfield town government, holding several offices.  Mr. Towle was one of the proprietors of the Kezar Falls Woolen Manufacturing Company and their largest stockholder. He was president, treasurer and one of the directors of that company for many years. He also built the large building now called the Stanley Block in which he ran a general store and later was one of the prime founders of the Kezar Falls National Bank located in that building, of which he was president at the time of his death.  Mr. Towle was married in 1853 to Miss Susan M. Gilman and they had three children all of whom died at a very young age.  His wife predeceased him in 1913.

To be continued...