The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-12-06
{. W. TOWNSEND DEAD
Well Known Decatur City Banker
Passed Away Saturday Morn
inc after Long Illness.

once to die. Inc dust shall return
to earth and the spirit to God who
gave it.
3. We Townsend, the well known
Decatur City banker, who has been
in fainng health for some months
passed away at his home in Decatur,
Saturday morning, December lst, at
5 o'clock, his. death being not un-
expected, for he had been gradually
failing for some time, and medical
skill and patient nursing mad done
their utmost to no avail.
Mr.. Townsend was one of the best
known. men in Decatur county, hav-
ing been actively engaged in the
banking business as cashier Of the
Citizens State Savings Bank since
1887, until his failing health caused
him to resign just few weeks ago.
He was one Of the most active men
thing for the good of his home town
and county, and especially will he be
missed in church circles, for he was
an ardent worker for God.
Ernest w. Townsend was born at
Mount Gilead, Ohio, December ~,
1858, and passed away at Decatur,
Iowa, December l.. l9l7, ms age Pc Pc
and five days.
Mr.. Townsend emigrated to Iowa
with his parents and settled near the
town of indianola in the year 1858,
and resided there until 1887, when
he removed to. DecatuE Iowa; ja; where 1ere
he has since lived, and when "lace
he knew only as his home.
He was united in marriage at Des
Moines, Iowa, to Martha P. Burrows,
August 10, 1877. Six children was
the result of this union, viz. CLARENCE
and Bruce Townsend and Mrs. O #.
Walker, sof Decatur, Iowa; Mrs; V. :.
Anderson and Mrs: Doctor b. W
erick1 4. Townsehds of Leon, Iowa,
ali of whom are living and were
present with the good wife and
mother to lament his untimely death.
In addition to Mr.. Townsend's i'm
mediate family, he left one sister
and four brothers, three OF whom,
Levi T., BENJAMIN F., and Edwin l..
The deceased was converted and
ioined the Friends church in early
life while living in Warren county
Iowa, but after coming to Z! DECATUR,
Iowa, he transferred his affiliatlon
to the Methodist. Episcopal church'
He was an untlring church worker,
living conscientious christian life,
and was for only that which was
good and for everything he thought
was right.
The community in\ which you live
denies few men appreciation. OF
their worth, therefore, it is neither
timely or necessary to make mentlOn
of the kind of a life Mr.. Townsend
.iyed. as the records of his lie and
actions is the, best evidence, aad the
same is an open book with it's every
page known by those who best knew
him
ard he has gone gone TO render an
account to his God for the things,
either good or bad, did by him While
here. and we cannot but believe that
his reward will be the .weicomee
wor rds-"Well done, thou good and
faithful servant. enter thou into the
Joy of thy Lord.
1--WE shall know it all--some day.
Funeral services were held at tue
NJ e. church in Decatur, Monday. ait
ernoon, at 2 o'c,ock, conducted by
the pastor, Rev. P. { Canton, ASSIST
ed by Rev. George tI'tchell, Of Vel
don, Rev. Vaanatta. .: ST. Charles,
and Rev Forest Perk MS, OF cam
bra. An immense CoDc9urse oi So
rowing friends were in attendance,
it being the largest funeral ever held
in Decatur. Interment was in the
Decatur cemetery.
A card-We wish to thank our
good friends at home and elsewhere
for the kindly assistance rendered,
and the flowers sent during the sick
ness and death of our husband and
father.
Mrs. E. w. Townsend
And Family.