Elijah C. Townsend farmer Section 9 Shullsburg was born July 14, 1818 in Steuben Co. New York. He came to Shullsburg in May of 1833 and engaged in mining. He continued mining for many years and managed the mining interests of Mr. Corwith of Galena Il in the Shullsburg area. He held many Town Office Positions and represented Lafayette Co. in the State legislature in 1860. Mr. Townsend owned 500 acres of land well improved which was used in live-stock trade and built an historic limestone block home in 1855. This home is located of Highway 11 west of the town of Shullsburg and is currently owned by The Doyle Family. Colonel Townsend was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in 1852 of the Eleventh Regimen, Second Brigade of the Second Division of Wisconsin Militia. He was well regarded within the area of politics and business in Wisconsin and our city government building bear his name The Townsend Center. Colonel Townsend married Fannie Wells in 1845, she was from Jefferson Co. New York and they had seven children two sons and five daughters.

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