Sanford H. Townsend (1847-1908)

TOWNSEND

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/1/2022 at 15:59:14

Sanford H. Townsend
(September 4, 1847 – March 4, 1908)

It does not fall to the lot of many men to attain eminence in political or military life, but before the majority of mankind there lies the vast opportunities of the business world, in which success may be won through
persistent purpose, honorable methods and capable management, and worthy of emulation is the history of the man who, in the surroundings where fate has placed him, makes the best of his opportunities, winning a comfortable living by honorable means that not only gain him a competence but also win for him the respect of his fellow men. Such is the life record of Mr. Townsend who is engaged in the painting business in Lake City.
He was born in DeKalb County. Illinois, September 4, 1847, is parents being Henry and Emily (Harrison) Townsend. both of whom were natives of England, their marriage being celebrated in Lincolnshire, in 1826. The following year they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode in Black Hawk County, New York, where the father followed the occupation of farming. They had ten children, namely : John, deceased; Harriet M., the wife of George J. Flinn, a resident of DeKalb County, Illnois; William A., of Lake City; George F., who is living in Chicago; Sabina, the wife of John V. Rowe, of Early, Iowa; Ellen, the wife of William Allen, also of Early; Sanford H., of this review; Emily and Emma, who have passed away; and Susan, the wife of Lester Holdredge, of Early, Iowa. In the year 1837 the parents removed with their family to DeKalb County, Illinois, where the father purchased land from the government and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 11, 1882; his wife surviving until June, 1900, when she, too, passed away.
To the schools of his native county our subject is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and through his youth he worked upon his father's farm, being thus engaged until 1862, when he went to DeKalb and learned the painter's trade. He had worked at it for about a year and a
half when he could no longer resist his desire to enter the army and on the 14th of May, 1864. he enlisted. Mr. Townsend and Emery Mathewson were working at the painter's trade in Kane County. Walter Kendall, an enlisted man, was home from the army and the tales which he told of his soldier life caused the boys to enlist. Mr. Mathewson wished to enlist and made the proposition to Mr. Townsend that they should join the army if a paint brush which he held in his hand slipped through and fell to the floor. The brush was held aloft and, as Mr. Mathewson was very anxious to go, the brush naturally dropped and the boys immediately left their work and went to Eligin, fourteen miles distant, where on the 14th of May, 1864, they were enrolled with the boys in blue of Company G, One Hundred and forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Charles Harrington and Colonel Bronson. They were sent to Columbus, Kentucky, to do garrison duty and with the exception of the time spent in foraging they were continuously on duty in Columbus Barracks. Mr. Townsend was mustered out in October, 1864, and at once returned to DeKalb County, where he engaged in painting until 1887, when he came to Lake City, where he has since worked at his trade. He possesses superior skill in his line and his services are always in demand. Mr. Townsend is also well known in musical circles and his love of music and his ability in that direction have contributed much to musical entertainments not only in this place but also in Illinois. In 1882 he organized the Townsend orchestra, at Sycamore, consisting of twelve pieces, and for a number of years he furnished music of all kinds for theaters, parties and other entertainments, the orchestra continuing its existence until he removed to Iowa. Soon after arriving in Lake City he organized an orchestra here and he now has charge of the music in the Methodist church of Lake City.
On the 6th of June, 1S69, Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Havens, who was born October 21, 1852, in Yates County. New York, the wedding being celebrated in Sycamore, Illinois. Her father was Albert Havens, of Cortland, Illinois. Four children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, of whom three are living: Cortland, who was born February 7, 1871, is now assistant cashier in the Citizens Bank, of Lake City; Ida E., born October 25, 1873, and is now the wife of M. E. Hutchison, a lawyer of Lake City; and Raymond F., who was born November 5, 1876, and is now a clerk in the Citizens Bank. Mr. Townsend holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Methodist church. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, interested in all that pertains to the public welfare, and no resident of Lake City has more friends than Sanford H. Townsend. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.273]