Katharyn (Purinton)
Haller Tower
(1873-1942?)
Katharyn "Kate" (Purinton) Haller Tower was born in 1873 in or near Independence, Preston County, WV, the daughter of Thomas and Matilda "Tillie" (Hanshaw) Purinton.
Kate's first husband was Charles Haller (1873- ? ). They were married in 1894. They had at least one son, Karl W. Haller.
Circa 1902 and 1908, the Hallers resided in New York City. Kate's sister and brother in law, Helen and Michael H. Liady, also lived in New York in that era. One of their addresses is believed to have been 1253 Amsterdam Avenue.
In 1908, at the death of her uncle Dr. Guy Hanshaw, Kate was entitled to a 1/32 share of the estate, which included lucrative oil and gas wells. She received an immediate payout from the estate of $57.81 in 1909. At intervals over the years, through 1942, she received royalty payments from the wells. The high point was in 1918, when she received $24.54. In total, Kate received $267.18 in inheritance.
The federal census of 1910 shows
the Hallers living on West 124th Street in Manhattan. Charles was employed with
an advertising agency.
The postcard at right shows the sprawling city of the time.
Kate's second husband was J.B. Tower ( ? - ? ), whom she married sometime before 1918.
In September 1927, at the age of 54, Kate traveled back to her home state for the funeral of her sister Helen Manear Liady White. Kate was mentioned in both of her sister's obituaries in the Webster (WV) Echo newspaper. At the time, she was residing in Pleasantville, Westchester County, NY.
Kate died in about 1942. That year, her son Karl received the final royalty payment as her "sole heir."
Son Karl W. Haller (1895- ? ) married Ruth E. (?) (1897- ? ). They lived in New York City in 1920, as shown on the U.S. census. Their fates are lost to history.
The fates of the family are unknown.
Copyright © 2004, 2006, 2008 Mark A. Miner