Townsend A. Ely (August 27, 1843 – August 14, 1928) was an American politician from Michigan. He served as a member of Michigan Senate from 1904 to 1908. He was mayor of Alma, Michigan, for three terms.
Townsend A. Ely | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Ely in a 1928 newspaper | |
| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 19th district | |
| In office 1904–1908 | |
| Preceded by | Coleman C. Vaughan |
| Succeeded by | Fred B. Kline |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1843 Wabash, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 14, 1928 (aged 84) Alma, Michigan, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Margaret Chapin
(m. 1866; died 1912) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent |
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| Occupation |
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Early life
editTownsend A. Ely was born on August 27, 1843, in Wabash, Indiana, to Ralph Ely.[1] The family later moved to Ionia County, Michigan. They moved to Alma in 1854.[1][2] He attended common schools.[1]
Career
editEly enlisted on February 25, 1865, with company C of the 8th Michigan Infantry Regiment and fought at the Siege of Petersburg. He was promoted to sergeant by early April 1865. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant, but was not mustered in under the commission. He mustered out five months later on July 30. His father was a part of the same company and regiment.[2][3][4] After the war, he purchased 240 acres (97 ha) and began farming. He expanded the farm another 100 acres (40 ha). He later worked as a mail carrier between Saginaw and St. Louis for close to three years. He then worked as a businessman.[1]
In 1881, Ely became postmaster and served under presidents Hayes and Harrison. He was a member of the school board for 12 years. He served as mayor of Alma for three terms.[2][1][5]
Ely served as a member of Michigan Senate, representing the 19th district, from 1904 to 1908. He introduced the bill that provided for Michigan's state highway department and appropriation for improving wagon roads.[2][6] In April 1909, he was named by Governor Fred M. Warner to replace Horatio Earle as the state's highway commissioner. He served for four years, declining a second term. He was succeeded by Frank F. Rogers.[2][6] He was appointed to the board of managers of the Soldiers' Home.[1]
Personal life
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References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Earle's Successor is Alma Business Man". The Grand Rapids Press. April 19, 1909. p. 5. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Townsend A. Ely is Dead at Alma". The Grand Rapids Press. August 14, 1928. p. 10. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ely's War Record". The Lansing Journal. April 23, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ely Appointed Because Veteran". The State Republican. Lansing, Michigan. April 22, 1909. p. 4. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "First Highway Head is Dead". Detroit Free Press. August 15, 1928. p. 5. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Tinkham, H. H. (April 15, 1909). "Earle's Highway Job Terminated by the Governor". The Saginaw News. p. 1. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mrs. Townsend A. Ely". The Alma Record. August 22, 1912. p. 5. Retrieved December 19, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
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Media related to Townsend A. Ely at Wikimedia Commons
