JOHN S. TOWNSEND, NORMAN L. PHELPS

& WILLIAM A. GARDNER

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 698-699:

Townsend, Phelps & Gardner

(Proprietors of the East Nevada Flour Mills).

   One of Nevada’s most prominent industries is her milling interests, and among those actively engaged in this branch of commercial trade is found the firm of Townsend, Phelps & Gardner, composed of John S. Townsend, Norman L. Phelps and Wm. A. Gardner, experienced men in milling.  The senior member of the concern, Mr. Townsend, was born in LaSalle county, Ill., October 25, 1842, and was the son of Charles and Margaret (Cooper) Townsend, the latter a Virginian by birth.  The former came originally from New York and during his entire life devoted himself to farming, finally dying in Illinois.  Young John was made familiar with farm duties at an early age and continued to follow that calling for a number of years.  For five years he was engaged in the coal business, but deciding to remove from Illinois he located at Guthrie Centre, Guthrie county, Ia., making his home there eight years.  Upon settling in this county in 1883 he devoted himself at first to farming and the grain trade, embarking in his present business in 1885.  In 1870 Mr. Townsend was married to Miss Merrilla Vaughn, of Illinois, who has borne him two children, Jesse and an infant.  They have lost two.

   Mr. Phelps has followed the railroad business more closely than any other occupation during his career.  He is also of Illinois nativity, born in Bureau county, May 8, 1840.  Norman Phelps, his father, born in Vermont, was reared on Grand Isle and was an agriculturist by occupation; his wife, formerly Miss Eunice Dorothy, was a native of the Empire State.  Norman L. was the ninth of ten children.  After growing up on a farm he enlisted in the 153d Illinois volunteer infantry, but owing to disability was discharged at Pittsburg Landing.  Afterwards he re-enlisted in the same regiment and participated in Sherman’s campaign to the sea, subsequently returning to his home in Illinois after being mustered out.  In 1873 he went to Indiana and worked on the Michigan Southern Railroad in that State, coming thence to Missouri in 1877, where he resumed the same business up to the time of entering upon his present calling.  January 1, 1886, Mr. Phelps married Miss Agnes Dunbar, of Pennsylvania. 

          The mills which these gentlemen now conduct are well fitted and supplied with machinery known as the concentrated roller process, and having a capacity of 50 barrels per day.  They also have two run of buhrs for corn and feed.  The quality of their product is unexcelled, as all will testify.  A 35-horse power engine furnishes the running power, and all other necessary and convenient machinery of improved patterns is to be found here.

[Transcribed by Julia Brown ]

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