William Townsend 1809-1892

TOWNSEND, WATSON, OLIPHANT

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/19/2018 at 07:32:10

4 February 1892 - West Branch Times

DIED On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Wm Townsend, of the grippe, at the age of 82 years.

Deceased was one of the early settlers of this immediate vicinity where he has reared a highly respected family.

The funeral is held today, Thursday, at 10:00 a.m.

11 February 1892 - West Branch Times

William, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Townsend, was born near Fredricktown, Knox county, Ohio, Aug 14, 1809, where he spent his youthful days in his father's home, learning the potter's trade as a profession. He commenced in business for himself while a young man, and united in marriage with Elizabeth Watson in his 28th year, settling near Fredricktown. To him and Elizabeth Townsend were born six children--three sons and three daughters. The eldest daughter was buried in Ohio. In October, 1852, he moved with his wife and five remaining children to West Branch, Iowa, and settled on the farm where for more than 39 years he lived. He is the only old settler in our neighborhood who has as yet lived so long and been carried to their final resting place from the homestead where they first settled, while the deer were roaming at pleasure over the flower covered hills or lay unmolested in the long grass that covered the valleys around his dwelling. Well does the writer remember to have called at the door of the humble dwelling in the autumn of 1853 when as far as the eye could reach there was little else but one vast rolling prairie covered with grass and wild flowers. Well does he remember the kind welcome by the good man and his faithful wife, as the children gathered round to express their pleasure to see a young stranger at the door.

In the summer of 1854, I settled near by him and soon formed a very intimate acquaintance with the family, often visiting them in the hours of their affliction, which seemed to fall thick and fast for the next few years. His oldest son being taken away by lingering disease in very early manhood seemed for a time to cast a shadow over their otherwise happy western home; and in 1861 his beloved wife was called away from her family and friends to join the triumphant throng on the golden shore.

During the next three years Wm Townsend was a frequent visitor at my house and many a long evening was spent with time around his own fireplace, and my love and esteem for the man increased and deepened with the passing years. I always found him to be a true and faithful adviser in time of trial and need. My own dear father being taken away just as I was commencing life for myself, Wm. Townsend stepped in and tried to fill a father's place to me.

In the year 1864 he was united in marriage to Rachel Oliphant who walked by his side as a loving and faithful wife and mother for about twenty seven years when he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.

In the spring of 1871 Annie was called away from the home circle to join her loved ones on the other shore. The remaining children have all grown up and are following in the footsteps of their father--an honor to him and blessing to the church and world. J. W. and O. L. Townsend, the two sons of Wm. and Rachel, make their home on the old farm with their mother; his son Charles lives in Sioux City, one daughter in Oregon and one in Indian Territory.

Wm Townsend being one of the very first settlers on this prairie, his name has been identified with almost every important affair both in the church and township, which interested the enterprising people who soon gathered around him and few men have more faithfully and wisely fulfilled the duties devolving upon them than did this father of our neighborhood, church and town. J. T. Hoover