TOWNSEND, Ernest Watson

TOWNSEND, SCHEE, CRESWELL, RANCH, WALKER, BURROWS, ANDERSON, PAUL, CRESWELL, MONAGHAN, CALDOW

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 23:40:13

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 391-92. Chicago. 1915.

ERNEST WATSON TOWNSEND

For twenty-two years E. W. Townsend has been cashier of the Citizens State Savings Bank of Decatur and during that time has had the responsibility of the management of the institution, which he aided in organizing in 1893. His birth occurred in Morrow county, Ohio, December 26, 1853. His father, Eli Townsend, was also a native of the Buckeye state but in 1863 removed with his family to Warren county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until his demise.

E. W. Townsend was reared upon the homestead in Warren county as he was but ten years old when he accompanied his parents to this state. He assisted his father with the farm work until the latter's demise. When thirty- four years of age our subject came to Decatur county and for five years followed agricultural pursuits. In February, 1893, he was instrumental in organizing the Citizens State Savings Bank of Decatur, which, however, was then a private institution, his partner for several years being Nathan Schee, of Indianola, a boyhood friend and neighbor. In 1905, however, the bank was incorporated as the Citizens State Savings Bank and was capitalized at twenty thousand dollars. The officers are: president, James Creswell; vice president, H. T. Ranch; cashier, E. W. Townsend, who has held that position since the organization of the institution in 1893; and assistant cashier, O. F. Walker. Mr. Townsend holds high rank among the financiers of Decatur county and is responsible for the growth and prosperity of the bank more than any other man, as he has directed its policy for twenty-two years. He is not only thoroughly familiar with all details of the routine business of the institution but also understands the larger questions of finance and currency.

Mr. Townsend was married in Des Moines to Miss Martha P. Burrows, whose birth occurred in Poweshiek county, this state. They are the parents of six children: C. B., engaged in the insurance business in Decatur township, who is married and has a family; F. A., an insurance agent of Leon, who is also married; Blanche, the wife of V. J. Anderson, a real-estate agent of Osceola, Iowa; Sadie, who married O. F. Walker, assistant cashier of the Citizens State Savings Bank; Carrie, the wife of Dr. Paul, of Osceola; and Bruce, attending high school at Leon.

Mr. Townsend supports the republican party at the polls but has never been a seeker for official preferment. Both he and his wife are influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both have taught Sunday-school classes for many years. They are highly esteemed in their community and it is a recognized fact that their influence is always on the side of right and justice.

NOTE: E. W. Townsend died on December 7, 1917, Decatur City IA. Martha Philena (Burrows) Townsend was born March 31, 1860 at Searsboro IA, and died August 17, 1934 at Decatur City IA. They were interred at Decatur City Cemetery, Decatur IA.

Of Ernest and Martha's children:
Clarence Burrows Townsend, born 28 Oct 1879, Warren Co. IA; died 27 Jun 1919, Decatur IA; interred Decatur City Cemetery

Clarence married 1901 Emily J. Creswell
Frederick A. Townsend, born 1882; died 1933, Leon IA; interred Decatur City Cemetery

Frederick married Alberta M. Monaghan, born 22 Jun 1882, CO; died 15 Dec 1961, Yuba Co. CA; interred Decatur City Cemetery
Blanche (Townsend) Anderson, born 04 Sep 1883; died 31 Aug 1942; interred Decatur City Cemetery
Sara Belle (Townsend) Walker, born 15 Nov 1885, Warren Co. IA; died 06 Jul 1951, Clinton IA; interred Springdale Cemetery, Clinton IA

Sara married 1906 Oliver Fleet Walker, born 05 Oct 1886, KS; died 29 Jun 1967, Clinton IA; interred Springdale Cemetery, Clinton IA

Oliver was the president of Goose Lake Savings Bank and a member of Decatur Lodge 109 A.F.&A.M.
Carolyn (Townsend) Paul, 27 Aug 1891, Decatur IA; died 22 Dec 1932, Osceola IA; interred Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola IA

Carolyn married Dr. Everett Washington Paul, born 25 Jun 1886; died 10 Jan 1985; interred Maple Hill Cemetery, Osceola IA

Dr. Paul, a renown dentist, owned Palomino show horses and rode in the Rose Bowl Parade, Pasadena CA, on eight different occassions.
Ernest "Bruce" Townsend, born 05 Aug 1897, Decatur IA; died 1997, Clinton IA; interred Decatur City Cemetery

Bruce married 1923 Jesse Oaks (Caldow) Townsend, born 06 Sep 1897, Scotland; died 23 Sep 1999, Clinton IA; interred Decatur City Cemetery

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014