HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Biographical Appendix

JOHN H. TOWNSEND

John H. Townsend, farmer, of Madison County, Mo., was born in Logan County, Ky., n 1832 and is the son of George M. and Nancy (Williams) Townsend. The former was born in Kentucky May 7, 1797, and by occupation was a farmer and school teacher. His death occurred in Kentucky in 1841. His wife became the mother of eight children. Her son, John H., was the sixth child, and, with his mother, came to Missouri in 1841. He was educated in the common schools, and Arcadia College, in Iron County. June 4, 1856, he married Mary C. Sebastian, who was born in St. Francois County, Mo., June 24, 1833. Her father, Moses Sebastian, was born in Kentucky in 1807, and was a farmer by occupation. He was married five times; the first time to Margaret Santee, who was the mother of the present Mrs. Sebastian. She was born June 14, 1808, and died July 4, 1847. Mr. Sebastian died in Madison County, Mo., December 28, 1885. Mrs. Townsend is the mother of eight children: Margaret, George M., Nancy W., Edward B., Martha J., John F., Laura C. and William M. Three of the daughters and one of the sons are among the popular educators of Southeast Missouri, but Miss Laura is the only one now engaged in that work. Mr. Townsend is the owner of eighty acres of land, and in his political views is a Democrat. The family are members of the Baptist Church.