J. M. TOWNSLEY, son of John B. and Rebecca Townsley, was born in Carroll County, Ind., August 10, 1850. At the age of seventeen, he taught his first school (that of Idaville), and during this and the following fourteen years taught fifteen terms within a radius of twelve miles. He followed farming until October 14, 1882, when he purchased a stock of drugs and notions worth $1,000, and became the successor of J. G. Wilson at Idaville. He is a Republican, and during the years 1875-76 was acting Deputy Sheriff of White County. While living in Carroll County, he was a member of the Republican Central Committee for three years. He was married, August 25, 1874, to Miss Melvina, daughter of Robert and Margaret J. (McCully) Delzell, of Idaville, and born in 1855, and by her is the father of three children-Fred, Frank and Mary. Both he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

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