Townsend, David Wood 1844-1912

TOWNSEND, BROWN, COOPER, BUNFORD

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/27/2010 at 10:01:47

LeMars Sentinal, March 12, 1912, pg 1, col 2

Word was received in LeMars on Saturday by E. L. Townsend, of this city, of the death of his brother, D. W. Townsend, a former well-known pioneer merchant of this city.

David W. Townsend, an old pioneer, was found dead in his room at Wichita, Kan., on Saturday morning. For several months he had been ailing, and recently left Sioux City, where he had been in the real estate business, for Kansas in the hope that a change of climate would benefit him.
The deceased will be remembered by the old settlers, as at one time he owned and operated the lumber yard now owned by Knorr & Schafer. He came to LeMars during the early seventies from Cherokee County, and opened a number of yards in this vicinity, having one at Remsen, Granville, Aurella and Marcus.

In 1890 he decided to retire from the lumber business and went to Des Moines for a short time before returning to Cherokee, where he had resided practically ever since. The deceased had led a life of considerable adventure, first coming to Iowa from Ohio during the year 1863. The trip was made in a prairie schooner, and when he arrived at Belmont Township, Warren county, his father decided to locate, but very little settling had been done, land being at almost homestead price. As that part of Iowa commenced to settle, he again felt the call of the West and once more embarked towards the setting sun, this time arriving in northwestern Iowa which had been his home the remainder of his life.

The deceased was a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar and Shriner. He was one of the charter members of the local order of the O. E. S. and his funeral will be held under the auspices of the Masons.

David W. Townsend was born in Ohio July 18, 1844. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Brown in Warren county, Iowa, in the year 1868. Eight children were born to bless this union, three of whom died in infancy. Five children are living, three boys and two girls, who are Glenn, of Dallas, South Dakota; Clara A. Townsend, of Salem, Mass.; Roy, of Sioux Falls, and Mrs. Ray Adsit, of Cherokee, Iowa. In 1880, Mrs. Townsend died, being laid to rest beside her three children in the local cemetery.

His second marriage took place in 1882, he being married to Miss Marguerite Cooper at Des Moines. Two children were born to this union, one of whom, Mrs. Thos. Smith, of Croeagency, is still living. About sixteen years ago his second wife died and for several years he lived alone. Three years ago he was married to Miss Molly Bunford in Ohio, Mrs. Townsend is now at Columbus, Ohio, where she recently went on a visit. Owing to serious illness she may not be able to make the journey to LeMars, where the funeral will be held this week. The body will be brought here for burial and arrangements will be made for the funeral upon its arrival.

Tombstone Photo
 

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