William L. Townsend, farmer, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, November 16, 1824. His father was a native of South Carolina, but emigrated from that state to Kentucky at an early day, and after about ten years moved to Missouri and settled on a farm in Cooper county, where the subject of this sketch was born and grew to manhood. His education is limited to that of the common schools. After living on the farm with his father about twenty-one years, Mr. Townsend moved to a farm in Saline county, where, excepting a brief interval, he has lived every since conducting his farm, which is one of the best in that part of the county. April 2, 1846, he was married to Miss Sally Staples, of Saline county, an amiable lady who still lives to gladden a peaceful household. They have ten children: James T., Saunders, Peyton N., John B., Nathaniel S., Williams G., Benjamin F., Mary V., Edward F., and Susan A. E. Mr. Townsend is an old citizen of Saline, a successful farmer, and a worthy gentleman.
