Townsend Family History & Genealogy

Service Record

Inscription on reverse of WW1 Trench watch

WW1 Trench watch

Amanda and grandson, Damon Gray Allen, born February of 202.. taken January 2024

I have an old studio photograph of Ada TOWNSEND which was taken at the Scott Studio in Quincy, IL in the 1890's. Ada appears to be in her 20's at the time the photograph was taken. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding Ada and her family:

Ada TOWNSEND was b. 22 Jul 1870 in Payson, IL to parents William H. TOWNSEND (1846-1895) and Martha “Mattie” Jane WALKER (1843-1923). Ada had one sibling, a brother Roscoe B. TOWNSEND (1882-1944). Ada moved to Quincy, IL in 1894 and was a schoolteacher there for many years. died 8 Sept 1912 in Quincy, IL and is buried in the Payson New Cemetery in Payson.

I would like to get the photograph to a family member and would appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone who might be.

Thanks,
Shelley

Silas was named after his two grandfathers; Silas Roll Stroud and Horatio Gates Townsend. Si was a very distinguished looking man, and easily recognized as someone who worked in the University systems.

A red-headed feisty woman who was a force to behold, strong in spirit and mind,

An original pioneer, who served in the Civil War at a tender age, which forever impacted his life.

Walter never spoke of his military service, his uniform was discarded and anything that was connected to that time period. This is a very rare picture of him in uniform, that was sent to his mother. As his oldest grandchild, it is now in my possession. Nancy Townsend Buchan

Si, the oldest of two boys, was a deep thinker and accepted nothing at face value.

Wallace put in long days, particularly in the winter months when cattle penned up in the barns were more likely to become ill. In the evenings he would make a wood fire to warm the room and sit at a table carving. He often would be joined by someone, a friend or family member and Wallace would reflect as he carved. These were precious times to be savored. Wallace was my father and the carvings that I have of his are much bigger in value than the wood piece themselves.

17th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

My great grandfather private Albert Townsend 14694.Lancashire fusiliers 17th battalion. Who is remembered at Thiepval war memorial

He was killed in Action on 23rd july 1916 the 17th Battalion lancashire fusiliers were in the trenches at Bernafray wood Somme on this day.

Howard Wesley Townsend
compiled information by Nancy L. Townsend Buchan

Howard arrived into the world on February 14, 1908, blessing the lives of his parents, Lewis Franklin and Rose Maud Smith Townsend. The family was living in Madison New York in a pre-Revolutionary home. Lewis, a student was caretaker for insurance purposes. The owner had recently died and the estate was in the courts. Howard was a sickly child and has fondest memories of his grandmother, Annie Lois Young Townsend, sitting beside his bed reciting long passages of literature, by memory, to entertain him.
Howard was an editor and correspondent for the AP-Service. In the early 30's he was a radio newscaster in the west. He stood six feet tall, a large man with a large frame. At one time he weighed as much as 285 lbs. Howard was forced into early retirement due to ill health.
He was a prolific writer and many family members were on Howard correspondence list.
He was married June 20 of 1929 to Freda Schrumpf. After 24 years of marriage, Howard’s physical state had severely declined and he divorced Freda so as not to be a burden. The couple had no children. Howard feared most of his health problems were genetic and therefore did not wish to risk passing this on to offspring.
Howard was a very well-traveled and knowledgeable man, highly regarded by those in his profession. He carried on writing correspondence with many people until the last months of his life, although he needed magnifying glasses in addition to his prescription glasses to see. Due to his spinal condition all letters had to be written while Howard was lying on his stomach.
Howard was very interested in the family genealogy and correspondence with his cousin Nancy Townsend from 1977 until his death, transferring to her many of the family artifacts and stories.
In 1971, he suffered a stroke and spent the remaining years in health care facilities. Howard died in New York, New York in 1991.
Howard had two brothers; Warren ‘Terry” (1909-1984) and Robert Lewis ‘Bob’ (1913-1991)

Charles Herbert Townsend
by John Walter Townsend, son

Charles Herbert Townsend was born in Lawrence, Mass., Nov. 6, 1871, the second son of Horatio and Annie Young Townsend. The young family of four left Mass. to homestead in the area of White Clay Nebraska, where Annie’s brother had settled. Five born children would be born there.
When he was about 15-16 years of age, Charles left his home and headed further west where he put himself up for hire. He did various jobs, until 1890 when he went to the home of Uncle Will Young, (brother of his mother, Annie) to care for his ailing grandfather Young. Charlie was about 20 years of age at this time.
Seeking higher wages, Charlie went to California to work on the redwood pipeline. Charlie drove a four-horse team up and down through the pipeline. However much he may or may not have likes the job it did not make him a millionaire.
During the time of the big Arkansas River flood, Charlie went to Colorado to help rebuild the dam which was washed out. He worked for the Badey Cattle Co. as a pile driver.
Next Charlie worked as a ranch hand for the Williams and Black Ranch. This man was the first homesteader on the Nebraska Extension. Charles had a plot surveyed and settled onto his own homestead in 1903. He had a very good reputation and his neighbors were happy to have him homesteading in the area. Charles gathered quite a bit of property after homesteading and finally had better than 1,000 acres on which to run cattle.
This homestead was in the vicinity of the border town of White Clay which always been tied to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the north within the state boundaries of South Dakota. The majority of the Oglala Sioux Tribe lived on Pine Ridge reservation.
On June 4, 1905 Charlie married Nellie Mae Williams in White Clay, NE. There is nothing known about her parents or childhood, but it is assumed that she lived in the area and grew up in a similar fashion as Charlie had, on a family homestead.
They built a home on his land and together they continued to deal in livestock, and horses. At one point they hired several ranch hands, including Charlie's youngest brother, Walter.
During the early years with his bride, the two spent much of the winter months helping out at the neighbors or in town, where ever there was sickness, death or need. Usually these two were the first help to arrive and were well known for their generosity and caring. Charles and Nellie would leave their children on the ranch in the care of their Uncle Walter, or another hired hand, often for several weeks at a time.
Around 1910, Charles helped to organize the Extension Cemetery. Very few graves were dug without Charlie's assistance and until the time of his death, Charles Townsend was always a member of the Cemetery Board. Because through the years there was not always a sexton or official, Charlie was called on not only to dig the grave, but also to council and to sing or speak words at the time of the burial.
Charlie was also called on frequently by the local and county law enforcement officers, to give his opinion and judgment of a situation. His word was rarely disputed by anyone.
Charlie was also a school board member in the early days for the Extension School.
When one of the early telephone companies needed a place to set up a center, they were directed to Charles Townsend's home and soon 3 different companies operated from his home. Charlie continued to run the ranch until he turned it over to his daughter Nora and her husband, Walter Stout in 1952-53.
Charlie was always a very active man and even after his 72nd birthday, he still rode his saddle horse daily. As a young to middle age man, he was very slight in stature.
He stood only 5'5" and usually weighed about 120-125 pounds. Charlie had dark brown hair and carried the Indian name of, "Little Man on the Big Horse". Charlie had a preference for large horses.
Charles Herbert Townsend had no military service.

Charles and his wife, Nellie were blessed with five children, although only three lived beyond infancy. Their son John Walter was the oldest and two daughters May and Nora followed. Charlie did not give them middle/second names intending that Townsend would become their middle name after their marriages.

My beautiful mum

Freda Kesseru

Not sure how old Vicki was here - maybe around 4 or 5 by the look of it

Aged approx 2 1/2

My fabulous grandmother aged 19

Photo taken at Portland Road, South Australia around 1970

My maternal grandmother, photo in Australia probably 1969 - 1971, looks like at an animal park.