Harper Lafeyette Townley 1874-1951 H. L. Townley is the senior partner in the firm of Cowne & Townley, merchants of Greenwood. Alert and energetic he is constantly watchful for Opportunities for the legitimate advancement of trade and has been active in the development of one of the important mercantile interests of the city, contributing largely to the commercial advancement of Greenwood. Mr. Townley was born in Florence, Alabama, in 1874, and is a son of B. R. and Martha (Curtis) Townley. The father had four brothers who lost their lives in battle in the Civil war, two of them meeting death on the battle field of Shiloh. The mother was a daughter of Jonathan Curtis, builder of the Muscle Shoals canal. In the year 1881 B. R. Townley came to Arkansas, settling at Greenwood, where he engaged in farming. He still makes his home on an excellent tract of land in that vicinity and is numbered among the representative agriculturists of his part of the state. To him and his wife were born seven children: B. W., now living in Oklahoma; Susan. the wife of R. Joyce of Oklahoma; Gaither, the wife of Tom Bryant; Viola, the wife of Lester Beam; Laura, the wife of R. Gant; W. V.; and H. L. The last named pursued his education in the schools of Greenwood and in early life devoted his attention to farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and he assisted his father in the further development of the old homestead. Later he was employed by a coal company at Fidelity, remaining with the Long Bell Company for a period of nine years, a fact which indicates his trustworthiness and industry. On the expiration of that period he entered into partnership with Mr. Cowne, forming the firm of Cowne & Townley in 1910. Subsequently they took over the business of the old and well known mercantile house of C. R. Owens. The Cowne 8: Townley store is one of the thriving mercantile establishments of Greenwood, carrying an extensive and well selected line of goods, while every effort is made to please their patrons, the firm having ever recognized that satisfied customers are the best advertisements. Mr. Townley was united in marriage to Miss Dosia Moore and they have two children: Everett and Dosia. The son married Miss Bessie Scales and has one child. For his second wife Mr. Townley chose Willie Lamb, a daughter of John Lamb. Six children have been born of this marriage: Knotts, Mathe, Dorothy, Shannon, Cora and Charles. Mrs. Townley presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home and the family is widely and favorably known in this section of the state. Mr. Townley is an energetic and enterprising man, who at the outset of his career realized that success depended upon industry and close application. He has therefore always cultivated these qualities and his determination and perseverance have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and steadily to progress toward the goal of success.