John Townsend

As printed in 1881

JOHN TOWNSEND was born in McLean County, Illinois, in 1837. In 1841, his father moved to this county. Young Townsend worked on the farm till fifteen years old, in the meantime acquiring a limited education. At fifteen he entered the store of I. & J. Curd, then one of the first firms who located here. He remained until Mr. Curd sold out and then, at the age of twenty-one, he went into the employ of Mr. McDonald, with whom he remained several years. He spent two years in Montana. Returning to St. Joseph, he commenced business in the spring of 1866, under the firm name of Townsend and Lowell. He finally purchased Mr. Lowell's interest, and Mr. William H. Wood engaged in partnership with him under the firm name of Townsend & Wood. In 1873, the firm of Bailey,

Townsend & Co. was formed, when they commenced the wholesale trade, continuing three years. Mr. Townsend then withdrew from the concern. After one year of recreation, in 1877, the present firm of Townsend, Wyatt & Co. was formed. This has become one of the leading retail dry goods houses of St. Joseph, being to St. Joseph what Stewart is to New York- Their sales having increased from $75,000 per year, to one quarter of a million. Mr. Townsend was also largely instrumental in establishing in 1875, the cracker and candy manufacturing house of F. L. Sommer & Co., of which he is one of the Co. This is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the West. Mr. Townsend commenced life without means, and with nothing but his good health, willing hands and hopeful heart, with which to pave his pathway to success. He has achieved an enviable reputation as a business man and public spirited citizen. He married Miss Anna R, Banes, of this city, in 1863. They have three children.

As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.