Howard Wesley Townsend 1908-1991
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)
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)
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
