Father : TOWNSEND Gilbert Wallace (1842 - 1917)
Mother : WILLIAMS Catherine
Siblings :
TOWNSEND Elizabeth (1827 Steuben County, New York, USA)
TOWNSEND Charles J. (1864)
TOWNSEND Joseph G (1866)
TOWNSEND Samuel (1868)
TOWNSEND Smith T. (1870)
TOWNSEND George Monroe (1874)
TOWNSEND Nancy Ann (1875)
TOWNSEND Owen William (1877)
TOWNSEND Ida Mirah (1878)
TOWNSEND Bessie Adelia (1880)
TOWNSEND Homer Courtny (1884)
TOWNSEND Amanda Pearl (1886)
TOWNSEND Reathie Virginia (1890)
TOWNSEND George (?)
TOWNSEND Lillie (?)
Birth :
Date : 1812
Place : New Jersey, USA
Death :
Date : 1856 (44 years old)
Place : Henry City, Illinois, USA
Reference : 2632
Reference : 2988
Reference : 1509
Source : S2810
Page : Pg 19
Name : Page
Data :
Quote from the original source document : Ln 6 86 86 Townsend, John 38 M Farmer 300 New Jersey
Note :
| He was about 16 at the emigration. Was with his brother, Alva, the maindependence on making the farm, the greater part of the labor improvement,devolving upon them. They worked in close relationship fro 16 years,remaining of the old place at the request of their parents, who showedmuch preference in desiring to live with them. His father, to insure for being cared for by James, had deeded him theland and passed the remainder of his life with him. James has since makeadditional purchases and has given quite a farm to his son, yet his homeplace contains 140 acres practically all of it being in an excellentstate of cultivation. He has most assuredly done one man's share in theclearing from this wilderness this section of the state having himselfcleared about four hundred acres. His own farm was in primitivecondition, covered with ponds which required ditching before it wassuitable for the production of even average crops. Ever an advocate of every movement that would enhance the value of theland, he early began the laying of tile, having his own farm thoroughlyintersected with a great number or rods of it. Nearly one-half of theentire acreage has in this scientific manner been reclaimed from what wasnearly a valueless condition to what it now is, without doubt the mostproductive part of the farm. This low and formerly wet land has nowbecome by far the most valuable where only wild fowl and animals formerlyroamed, now growing luxuriant crops of a the grains and grasses usuallyfound in the state. He was one of those men who have stood for advancement, and some sixteenyears ago began the systematic improvement of his stock by theintroduction of Herford cattle, which, having materially bettered thestock of the neighborhood, has led him to make more definite andelaborate arrangements for their accommodation. He has just completed a stock barn that makes his facilities for handlingstock to advantage most complete. He is already widely know as astockman, his efforts at the gorowing, handling of fine grades of horseshaving given him a creditable record. Upon the whole the Towsend farm is one of the best managed and bestarranged. Every feature of its improvement being made with the skill andadaptability, that betokens the master mind. Here, after an honorableand creditable career, covering a t development of this part ofthe state, in the making of which he has been no unimportant factor, itsvenerable proprietor lives in the enjoyment of well earned ease andcomfort, in which to pass the declining years of life. In the youthful period of life Mr. Townsend was most outspoken in hisadvocacy of the principles of the Democratic party, with which heremained until the memorable and historic campaign of 1872, when he foundthe idea of supporting Horace Greeley severe a test of party alliance,preferring to withdraw from active participation in public matters.However, the great ideas that have grown into prominence in these lateyears have been of too much importance for a man whose every interest isdirectly affected to stand aloof and Mr. Townsend, whose naturalinclination is to have a hand in the fray, whatever the issue, becamepronounced in favor of those principles as expressed in the platform ofthe Democratic party, and threw his weight and influence in the balance,feeling that a change in the policy of the government is an imperativenecessity. While the fame of Mr. Townsend as a farmer, stockman and citizen ofrepute and character is secure, without doubt his is more widely andfavorably know from the prominent and pronounced part he has ever takento improve the moral tone and Christian spirit of the community. Recognizing from the days of boyhood the absolute necessity of the GreatCreator, he early gave indication of a devout and meditative spirit, andas maturity opened the way began to devote many hours to the reflectionsthat out of his observances. Earnest study of the bible, to the extent that he knew it thoroughly ledhim finally to identify himself with the Independent Church of JesusChrist, which teaches what the Great Master and his disciples taught ofthe final holiness and happiness of all mankind. The Thiry-five years hehas earnestly tried to preach the gospel his own growth in the faithemphasizing and confirming his belief in the universality of thesalvation of humanity. He is recognized as a free minister, his services being in frequentdemand in the various churches regardless of the particular doctrine. Hehas constantly refused compensation for his services and has been knownto refuse to return where a donation was urged upon him. Probably nominister has been more in demand to preach the funeral sermons of thedeparted, his own belief enabling him to extend consolation to many asaddened heart deeply imbued with the truth of what he preaches. He has ever stood prepared to defend the ideas. His will-knowingability, as a debater being called into requisition in meeting in publicdebate many of the recognized controversialist of the variousdenomination, His own views of universal salvation came to him longbefore he had listened to a preaching of the doctrine and later readingonly contributed to the accuracy of his views. His universalconsideration of his opponents has, in many instances, led him to aredemption and embraces of his doctrines. Many of his warmest friendsare in the clergy of other churches, and by them he is constantly invitedto conduct services in their sanctuaries. Not content with early convictions, he has kept abreast of the times andwith the higher criticism, which only more and more confirms the truth ofUniversalism. Personal experience, wherein the touch of angel hand andthe whispering of angel voices bearing to his own consciousness amessage, has led him to recognize the truth of the closeness of theproximity of the departed and to feel that the accepted doctrines ofspiritualism but accord to the teaching of the Master of all. Many incidents of the pioneer days are vividly recalled by our friend,one of which at least we will recount. In March, 1839, when but a shottime in the county while in search of his cow he became lost and decidedto remain in the woods all night seeking a moss tussock for a rest.Scarcely had he become reconciled to the situation when howl tod him ofthe presence of wolves. He had but time to climb a friendly tree till itseemed as if there were thousands of the brutes beneath him. Not havinga coat, he was about to freeze when by lusty hallooing, he, as good luckwould have it, attracted the attention of John Bush, who just happened tobe at his cabin, and in a short time he was released from his perilousposition. The woods full of wild hogs and many is the time he has had toseek safety in a tree to escape their rushes. An Indian village of the Godfrey tribe was near and he became onexcellent terms with both the boys and the maidens. At the burial of oldchief, Shab-on-do-sha, at the Jalapa village, he danced all day with theIndian girls, and to this day he has many friends among the red men, manyof whose traits are admirable. The Biographical Record of Blackford County, Indiana, 1900. -- MERGED NOTE ------------ -- MERGED NOTE ------------ |
Surname : Townsend
Family Information :
with HOUSEHOLDER Temperance (1817 - 1890) :
Marriage :
Place : Steuben County, New York, USA
children :
TOWNSEND Mary E. (1837 New York, USA)
TOWNSEND Emily Temperance (1838 New York, USA)
TOWNSEND Lydia (1840)
TOWNSEND Henry Householder (1841)
TOWNSEND John Wesley (1841 - 1919 Crete, Nebraska, USA)
TOWNSEND Lewis B. (1845)
TOWNSEND Ira S. (1852 Blackford County, Indiana, USA - 1897 Hartford City, Washington Township, Blackford County, Indiana, USA)
TOWNSEND George O. (?)
TOWNSEND Halstead (?)
TOWNSEND Charles M. (?)
children :
TOWNSEND Lucy Ann (1818)
TOWNSEND James S. (1822 Steuben County, New York, USA - 1908)
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