Robert Townsend
Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 27 September 1904, page 5
The Roosevelt Fairbanks Republican Club in Newport, held a meeting Monday night in the temporary quarters on Monmouth st. Captains of 25 companies were present and a number of new captains were appointed.
A F Scherer, a veteran of the war in the Philippines was elected Commander of the brigade, and Capt. Robert Townsend, a veteran of the Civil War, was elected Vice Commander. Many enthusiastic speeches were made by the members.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 21 July 1915, page 1
Robert Townsend, Civil War veteran and oldest Mason in Campbell co. celebrated his eighty-first birthday at his home on East Fourth st. Newport, Tuesday.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, 19 January 1916,
page 10
Robert Townsend, 71 years old, veteran of the Civil War and a
prominent Kentucky Mason, died yesterday morning at the residence of his nephew,
Edward Miles, Fourth street near York.
Captain Townsend was born in Toronto, Ont. and came to Newport shortly before the breaking out of the Civil War. He enlisted in the Twenty-third Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and took part in the campaigns in Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. He was wounded at the battle of Miretenary Ridge. Recovering he again joined his regiment and remained until the close of the war.
During the administration of President Hayes, he was appointed a Government store keeper and continued in the service until a few months before his death. He joined the Masons in 1867 and late took many of the high degrees. He was Watch? Master of Robert Burns Lodge in 1870 and was Past Earthent? Commander of the Newport Encampment.
Coroner Dr. James M Digby last night rendered a verdict of "death due to apoplexy."
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 19 January 1916, page 1
Robert Townsend, 82, Civil War veteran and the oldest Kentucky Mason, will be buried in Evergreen Cemetery Friday afternoon, following services at the home of his nephew, Edward Mils, 11 1/2 East Fourth st. Newport. Among the pallbearers will be John Link and Edward Reynolds, whom the deceased named. Newport Masons will conduct the final service.
Bob, as he was known, will be honored by the
remaining few survivors as the "man with a perfect memory" so termed by his
superior officers during the '61-'65 strife. The photo was taken when the
subject was Captain Townsend.