TOWNS, George Washington Bonaparte, statesman, born in Wilkes county, Georgia, 4 May, 1801; died in Macon, Georgia, 15 July, 1854. His father, John, a Virginian and a soldier of the Revolution, served with credit at the battles of Cowpens and Eutaw. The son began life as a merchant, but afterward studied law, and, removing to Alabama, was admitted to the bar in 1824. After editing a political newspaper there, he returned to Georgia in 1826, settled in Talbot county, where he practised law, and served in both branches of the legislature. He was elected to congress, and served from 1835 till 1839 and from 1845 till 1847. In the latter year he was elected governor of Georgia for two years, and at the end of his term he was re-elected.