Legislator Details
Image Description:
Townsend A. Ely, portrait from Nimmo, p.44
Townsend A. Ely, portrait from Nimmo, p.44
Townsend Armenius Ely
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Gender: Male
Age at election: 61
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 8/27/1843
City:
County: Wabash County, IN
Country: US
Death
Date: 8/14/1928
City: Alma, MI
County: Gratiot County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 8/16/1928
City: Alma, MI
County: Gratiot County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Riverside Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Margaret [Maggie] M. Chapin 9/25/1866, in Alma; children: 1, Ralph Chapin
Number of Children:
Background
Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: farmer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
district schools of Alma, MI
Biographical Sketch:
Of English parentage. Son of Ralph and Mary Eliza (Halstead) Ely. He came to Alma, Gratiot Co., MI, in April 1854. He entered the army as a private of company C, 8th Michigan infantry, enlisting at Arcadia, 2/25/1865, and commissioned 2nd lieutenant A4/25/1865. At the close of the war, he returned to Alma and engaged in farming. He served three terms as president of Alma village and was postmaster.
Notable Facts:
Sponsored the bill creating the highway dept.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agricultural Interests , Elections , Michigan Reformatory , Railroads , Religious and Benevolent Societies , Roads and Bridges , Soldiers' Home
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Alma
County of Residence Gratiot
District: 19
District Description: Counties of Clinton and Gratiot
Date Elected: 11/6/1906
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1907
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Chair of the Committees on Roads and Bridges; and Soldiers' Home
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Asylum for Insane at Traverse City , Geological Survey , Michigan Reformatory , Printing , Religious and Benevolent Societies , Roads and Bridges , School for the Blind
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Alma
County of Residence Gratiot
District: 19
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/8/1904
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1905
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Chair of the Committees on Michigan Reformatory; and Roads and Bridges