Elethan B. Townsend Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1144-1145 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ELETHAN B. TOWNSEND.  

	Elethan B. Townsend, a leading representative of financial 
interests in Lyman county, acts as cashier of the Murdo State Bank of 
Murdo, which he purchased in 1909 and still owns in association with 
his father and brother, George M. Townsend. His birth occurred on a 
farm near Ashton, Iowa, on the 3d of October, 1874, his parents being 
James E. and Emma C. (Jones) Townsend, both of whom are natives of 
Michigan. They took up their abode among the pioneer residents of Iowa 
in 1872 and still make their home at Ashton, that state. 

	Elethan B. Townsend, the second in order of birth in a family of 
six children, acquired his education in the public schools of Ashton, 
Iowa, and also pursued a commercial course at Des Moines. At the age of 
twenty he secured a position as clerk in the Sibley State Bank of 
Sibley, Iowa, being thus employed until 1900, when he went to Melvin, 
Iowa, and there served as cashier of the First National Bank until 
1906. In that year he came to Murdo, South Dakota, and embarked in the 
real-estate business, in which he still operates extensively. His 
identification with financial interests here dates from 1909, when he 
purchased the Murdo State Bank, which is entirely owned by his father, 
his brother and himself. He is widely recognized as an able, courteous 
and popular official of the institution and his efforts have been a 
potent factor in its continued growth and success. He also deals 
largely in live stock, is among the largest shippers of the community 
and has done much to improve the grade of stock raised, having a number 
of thoroughbred Hereford sires. He owns two thousand acres of land in 
Lyman county and operates two large ranches.  

	On the 18th of June, 1902, Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to 
Miss Florence L. McCallum, a daughter of Daniel D. and Angeline (Ord) 
McCallum, of Sibley, Iowa. She is a graduate of the Minnesota State 
Normal School and followed the profession of teaching for some years 
prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have been born two 
children, Ruth M. and John M.  

	Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Townsend 
has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he has 
ably served in a number of local offices. His fraternal relations are 
with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He greatly-enjoys outdoor 
sports, is fond of motoring and is an enthusiastic advocate of the good 
roads movement. Prosperity has come to him as the result of his ably 
directed business interests and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one 
of the substantial, esteemed and valued citizens of Lyman county.