Henry Townsend was born in 1823 and his start in life was humble in the extreme, but by dint of energy, perserverance and unswerving integrity, he rose to a postion of wealth and influence seldom attained by a businessman in the rural districts.

Prior to the Civil War (1861-65), he was a partner in business with the late and memorable Judge Cochrane of Cochrane's Mills. Afterward he went to Shearersburg, near Leechburg, and then to Olivet, PA, where he conducted a general store just preceding the Civil War, and at a time when the old canal was the only outlet from east to west.

In 1859 he formed a partnership with J. M. Wray of Shady Plains, under the firm name of Townsend & Wray of Shady Plains, and for several years did a flourishing business.

On the termination of this partnership, he and his father, the later Robert Townsend, purchased from Chambers Orr of Kittanning, Pa., the flouring mills at South Bend, to which place he moved. He was afterwards associated in business with his brother, Robert S. Townsend, who had just returned after a service of three years in the army, and together they had a most successful business career for many years.

In 1880 he bought out his brother's interest and took in his son, David Boggs Townsend, who has since that time been the active partner.

In addition to his other large local interests, he was a stockholder in the First National Bank of Indiana, Pa., and for many years a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Saltsburg, Pa.

He was married twice, his first wife being Lavenia Boggs, a sister of the late Judge Jackson Boggs, who died in 1901. Of this union, just two children survive, David Boggs Townsend, above mentioned, and Lavenia A. Townsend who was with her father through all his long illness, and was the comfort of his life during his later years of suffering. His second wife was Miss Rebecca H. Harbison.

Two brothers, Simon P. Townsend of Olivet, Pa. and Robert S. Townsend of Kansas City, Mo., and Elizabeth E. Townsend of Olivet also survive him.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church from his youth and was a cheerful supporter of all its various branches of work. In national politics, he was a Democrat, but locally an independent.

Funeral services were conducted at his late home by Rev. Orville J. Hutchson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of West Lebanon of which Mr. Townsend was a member. His favorite hymns were sung by the choir of the West Lebanon Presbyterian Church.

He was laid to rest among his loved ones in the little cemetery on the hill (South Bend Cemetery) overlooking his former home on November 2, 1904 at the age of 81.

(The following is from a newspaper clipping from Henry Townsend, Jr.'s files. Other information suggests that the shock from this terrible accident at his place caused Mr. Henry Townsend to have a nervous breakdown that hastened his death the following year in 1904.)

A most serious, if not fatal accident occurred at South Bend on Thursday, Nov. 19, 1903 at the home of Henry Townsend, a prominent merchant of that place. Miss Etta George, who has been living with Mr. Townsend's family for several years, was working in the wash house making up some worst and head cheese after butchering, when Mr. Townsend's daughter, Mary, happened in and noticed that her clothes caugt fire and called her attention to it and ran for help to the house nearby.

Miss Lavenia Townsend immediately caught up a large blanket and ran out and found the girl kneeling and saying, "Venie, I am burning to death," when with astounding presence of mind, Miss Townsend quickly wrapped her in the blanket and drenched her with water, putting out the flames, but not before the poor girl had been terribly burned. She was at once swathed in cotton and Dr. Cass of West Lebanon was summoned by telephone and administered medical aid soon after.

Miss George lingered for three weeks in critical condition and died on December 4, and was buried by her father's side in Zion Cemetery in South Bend.