Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Townsend, Sherman M. 1931
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LaVonne Bennett lib@dogsbark.com April 29, 2010, 4:46 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard
TOWNSEND, SHERMAN:
   THE IONIA SENTINEL-STANDARD, MI; 10-7-1931:  "SHERMAN M. TOWNSEND PASSES - A
pioneer and the son of pioneers, Sherman M. Townsend died at his home, 20 Lovell
place, on Wednesday evening at 9:30, following weeks of critical illness
preceded by several months of poor health.
   Funeral services were conducted at the home Saturday afternoon at 2:00
o'clock, by Rev. R. E. Karban and Dr. Willard K. Spencer, with Masonic rites in
charge of the F. & A. M. blue lodge.  Burial was in the Balcom cemetery.
   Mr. Townsend was born in Genesee county 85 years ago and came to Ionia with
his parents, the late Abel and Delia Walkley Townsend, who had purchased a farm
in Ionia township from Dr. W. B. Lincoln.
   In those days there was only one store building in Ionia, Mr. Townsend had
declared during his many reminiscences.  That was on the site of the present one
occupied by Leo's accessory store and the Hutchins restaurant on the north side
of Main street.
   In 1877, Mr. Townsend returned to Grand Blanc, Genesee county, for his
childhood sweetheart, Miss Ellen J. McNeil, to whom he was married on May 30th.
 The following day they began housekeeping on the farm now belonging to Ralph
Carpenter, residing there for 43 years before coming to Ionia 11 years ago.
   For some time Mr. Townsend was associated in agriculture pursuits with his
brother, John Townsend, who later relinquished his interests to Mr. Townsend.
   Hardships streak through the history of those 43 years spent on the farm. 
Land had to be cleared, timber, some burned and some sold, brush had to be
moved, stumps blasted and stones picked up and drawn away.
   Eventually a sighly residence of yellow and brick was erected, which was
pointed out with pride.  This structure was destroyed three years ago by fire,
but since has been reconstructed by Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter.
   For the past several years Mrs. Townsend's eyesight has been failing but this
did not prevent her being at the bedside of her husband during his weeks of
illness.
   Besides Mrs. Townsend he is survived by two sons, J. Fred Townsend of South
Ionia, and Neil Townsend of Detroit; a brother, John Townsend, and a niece,
Marian Townsend, both of Graton, S. Dak., and two grandchildren.
   Mr. Townsend prided himself on being a staunch Republican.  His life of
industry did not shut him off from social, fraternal and church interests.  He
held life memberships in blue lodge No. 36, F. & A. M. and in Queen Esther
Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and was a member of Ionia Chapter No. 14, R. A.
M.; Ionia Council No. 12, R & S M; the Ionia Elks lodge, and the Presbyterian
church.---Ionia Sentinel-Standard."



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