Wm. Amos Townsend (1834-1902)

TOWNSEND

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/7/2023 at 12:02:27

William Amos Townsend
(January 2, 1834 – June 3, 1902)

Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries Mr. Townsend was prominent. Banking institutions are the heart of the commercial body indicating the healthfulness of trade, and the bank that follows a safe, conservative business policy does more to establish public confidence in times of widespread financial depression than anything else. Such a course has the Citizens Bank followed under the able management of the subject of this sketch, who until his death, which occurred June 3. 1902, was its president. For thirty years he was a resident of Lake City, and his efforts contributed in no small degree to its improvement and development. Mr. Townsend was born in Oneida county, New York, January 2, 1834, and was a son of Henry and Emily (Harrison) Townsend, both of whom were natives of England. In that country they were reared and married, and about 1824 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first in New York, whence they afterward made their way to Illinois in 1839, settling on a farm there, near Sycamore, DeKalb County before the land came into market. There they spent their remaining days, the father devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout his business career. Mr. Townsend was one of a family of nine children and was the third in order of birth. His educational privileges were very meager, he attending the old-time subscription schools of Illinois for about one month during each year. After he had reached the age of ten years his time and attention were entirely given to farm work until after his marriage, when he divided his time between farming and blacksmithing. The year 1867 witnessed his arrival in Iowa. He took up his abode in Benton County, but in 1869 sold his business interests there and removed to Carroll County. In 1872 he came to Lake City, where he established a blacksmith shop, which he conducted for three years. On the expiration of that period he engaged in the livery and hotel business for two years and was afterward connected with stock dealing for two years. Later other business pursuits claimed his energies until the winter of 1885, when he embarked in the banking business as one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank. He was also engaged in the loan business and to a considerable extent dealt in real estate; handling both city and country property. His labors in this direction contributed to the improvement and up-building of the community. He erected the Townsend block, in which the bank is located, and also another busing house east of the bank, together with the Columbia building. This, however, did not cover the extent of his city property, and from his real estate investments he derived a good income. He made of the Citizens Bank, of which he was president, a solid financial institution worthy of the confidence and support of the public, for he ever followed safe and conservative methods and his business integrity was above question. Mr. Townsend was married in Illinois, in 1855, to Miss Sarah Foster, who was born in Maine and went to the Prairie state when six years of age. They became the parents of three sons and also had an adopted daughter, now deceased. One son, E. W., is cashier of the bank, but the other members of the family have passed away. Prominent in the affairs of the city, Mr. Townsend was called to public office by those who recognized his ability and worth. For two terms he served as councilman, and was filling that position at the time of his death. For several terms he was constable and was also deputy sheriff. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. Fraternally he was a Mason, having been an exemplary member of the craft since 1869. In manner he was courteous and pleasant, winning friends by his genial disposition and character, which commanded the respect of all. He was public spirited in an eminent degree, and through many years gave his support to whatever was calculated to promote the general welfare. In all the relations of life, whether as banker, real-estate man, society official or private citizen, he was faithful and true, and in his life work, eventful and varied as it was, no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil-doing darkened his honored pathway. Death came to him in the midst of a most useful and honorable career, and no citizen here has ever been more deeply mourned. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.492]