Biographical Sketch of William H. Townsend, Washington County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Townsend Bros. are general merchants, the firm being composed of W. H.
and S. C. Townsend.  The former, William H., was born in Ste. Genevieve
County, in 1842, and is the son of William H. and Mary A. (Winebarger)
Townsend, both born and reared in Virginia, where they were also marri-
ed.  They soon after came to Missouri, located in Ste. Genevieve County
and later moved to Washington County, where the father died at the age
of sixty-five.  He was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, was a
Democrat in politics, and both he and wife were members of the Baptist
Church.  The mother is still living, and is seventy years of age.  Of
the nine children born to this worthy couple, William H. is the eldest
but one.  He was reared as the average farmer boy, and received a 
limited education in the old time subscription schools.  Having farmed
until 1870 he began merchandising in Jefferson County, and the follow-
ing year came to Belgrade and opened a store, where he is now occupied
in business, and, with the exception of one year, has been actively 
engaged ever since.  In 1882 he built his present large store, 48 x 25.
In 1885 his brother became a partner and the firm assumed its present
title.  In 1870 he married Mrs. Hannah O. Bloom, nee Haney, a native of
Tennessee, and who had one child, Anna, by her first marriage.  Mrs.
Townsend is a member of the Christian Church.  In 1861 Mr. Townsend 
volunteered in Company E, Second Missouri Cavalry, Confederate States
army, and served until the close of the war.  During the most of his 
service he held the position of second lieutenant, and participated in
the following battles: Fort Pillow, Colliersville, Nashville, Fort Don-
elson, Murfreesboro, and many others.  At the battle of Colliersville
he received a severe wound in the left shoulder, which went entirely
through that portion of his body.  He is a stanch Democrat in politics,
and in 1885 was appointed postmaster of Belgrade, which position he 
still holds.  He is also a Mason.  In connection with merchandising he
is interested in farming, and now owns 325 acres of land, besides lots
in several of the towns in the county.  He has met with good success,
having started with a capital of $350, he has made all he has.

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