History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its cities, towns, resources, people

              BIOGRAPHY. 1169
Indian trails from Fond du Lac to this place and settled on a patch of land which they immediately set to work to clear and improve, and finally by hard work and perseverence they cul¬ tivated the land to a point where they were able to realize quite a comfortable livelihood and continued the occupation of farm¬ ing during the remainder of their lives, and at their death they left behind a pretty little home and the good will and esteem of their neighbors. They had a family of four children, viz.: Han¬ nah and Rosanna, both deceased; our subject, J. H,, and Alary Adeline. Mr. Townsend died on January 12, 1886, and Mrs. Townsend on October 27, 1888, at the ages of 84 and 78, re¬ spectively.
Mr. Townsend, Jr,, received a fair education in the district schools, working on the farm the while, and at the age of 22 years he married Miss Eliza Martin, daughter of R. K. and Mary (Bush) Martin. She was born in Merely, England, her father being of Scotch descent and her mother English. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend Avere married March 12, 1862, at Ripon, AVisconsin. Mr. Martin came to America from Scotland and settled on a farm near Pickett, in Nekimi township, where he followed farm¬ ing as an occupation for many years. He died in Ripon toAvn- ship, however.
Mr. and Mrs, Townsend have three children, viz.: Frank, who conducts the home farm; Cora, now the wife of AV. AV. Noble and lives in Rushford township, and Gertrude, a student of music, living at home. Mr, Townsend's farm consists of 120 acres, all under cultivation excepting fifteen acres of timber land. He carries on general farming, and in addition to this he does quite an extensive dairy business as well as raising fine blooded stock. He keeps a large herd of Jersey and Durham milch cows, and his hogs are of the Chester AYhite breed. He is independent in politics, always voting for the man who in his best judgment is qualified for the office sought. He has never aspired to political fame and has never held any office excepting on the school board. Here he served with satisfaction for many years. In 1863 Mr. ToAvnsend enlisted in Company E, First AVisconsin Cavalry, par¬ ticipating in a number of lively battles. He was in the Army of the Cumberland and served in the battle of Holly Springs and at Alemphis, Tennessee—in fact, he was a faithful servant for his country and bravely faced the enemy in various points all over the South.   He received his honorable discharge in July of