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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Henry Townsend, proprietor of the City Drug Store, Arkansas City, Ark. Although a young man, Mr. Townsend is rapidly and surely making his way to the front among the energetic business men of this city, and although not yet thirty years of age he has built up a constantly increasing patronage, and by attending strictly to each minor detail of his chosen calling, cannot fail to succeed. His stock is complete and always fresh, and his manner is so pleasant and agreeable that as a matter of course he is liberally patronized. His birth occurred in Covington, Tenn., in 1861, and he is the son of Peter and M. K. (Townsend) Townsend, natives also of the State of Tennessee. Peter Townsend followed agricultural pursuits in his early days, and was also proprietor of a large hotel in Covington, Tenn. In 1863 he moved to Memphis, Tenn., and there his death occurred in 1875. He was reared by wealthy parents, and previous to the war was quite wealthy himself. He was married about 1848 or 1849 and of the seven children born to his union only two are now living: Joseph (who is post office inspector for the New England States with general headquarters at Boston, although his family resides at Covington, Tenn.), and Henry (the subject of this sketch). The mother of these children died in 1873. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Henry Townsend was educated in the Memphis free schools, and when twelve years of age commenced life for himself, first as cash boy for William Frank at Memphis. When fourteen years of age he left this position and accepted one in the Woolen Mill of South Memphis, as superintendent of the carding machinery in the mill. There he remained until 1878, when he accidentally got his hand torn in the machinery. He then engaged in plumbing and gas-fitting with Marry & Martin, of Memphis, and was with this firm about two years. He subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits on rented land in Tennessee. In 1880 he went to Chicot County, and accepted a clerkship for J. T. Crenshaw, general merchant, and remained with him for eighteen months. In 1882 he moved to Arkansas City, accepted a like position from J. C. Crenshaw, and continued with him for about three years. In 1885 he clerked for J. C. Winston in the mercantile business, which he continued until the latter part of 1886, when Mr. Winston embarked in the saloon business under the firm of J. B. Amburn & Co. Mr. Townsend sold his interest in the place, and on February 8, 1889, he engaged in the drug business on one of the principal streets of the city. He keeps everything to be found in a first-class drug store, and his stock is valued at about $2,000 with annual sales of about $7,000 or $8,000. Mr. Townsend was married in 1886 to Miss Adair M. Goodwin, of Arkansas City. Mr. Townsend was appointed deputy sheriff in 1888, still holds that position, and was elected city marshal in 1879. He is a member of the K. of P., Valley Lodge No. 21, and in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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