New York · California · Washington
Across a continent, through generations.
William Albert Townsend and Martha Gilbert Saunders raised four children through the California years and the move to Washington Territory. Their story lives on in photographs, letters, treasured objects, and memories passed from parent to child.
Begin with William & Martha →
William was born in Penn Yan in 1827; Martha in nearby Rushville in 1844. Their lives came together at the Saunders farm.
William went west to mine for gold, returned to marry Martha in 1864, and brought her back to California. Their children were born at Brush Creek and Mayfield.
The family settled in Centerville, later known as Centralia. Their children’s recollections preserve glimpses of the growing town.
Four children carried memories of California into a new life in Washington Territory. Each made a home and a story of their own.
Born 1867 · Brush Creek
A teacher who married Harry E. Riegel in 1892 and raised four children. A 1987 newspaper history credits Inez Townsend with teaching in Pe Ell’s first schoolhouse. Her later family life was in Ellensburg.
Born 1868 · Brush Creek
A saw-filer and homesteader whose memories recorded early Centralia. He built his Yew Street home in 1906; he and Laura raised Aileen and John there. His granddaughter Jayne remembered him patiently teaching her to play cribbage.
Read Abbott & Laura’s story →Born 1874 · Mayfield
Carrie married William Buchanan Keir in 1894. Their lives were closely tied to Centralia, where Will was a hardware merchant and city commissioner. Bud’s memories preserve his uncle’s help with schoolwork and the family’s visits.
Born 1879 · Mayfield
A teacher and homesteader whose story leads through Siletz and the logging camps to Gertie Louella Howe. His playful 1908 letter to Martha offers a glimpse of the son behind the formal portraits.
From William and Martha, this part of the family story leads to Frank and Gertie, then Bud and Eileen, and on to Martha and John.
Eileen shared family memories with her four children—Martha, Bill, Albert, and Betty Lou. Stories of their father Bud, their grandparents, and the people who came before them became part of what the next generation knew about home.
A letter, a familiar photograph, or a small memory can bring someone back into view. There is always room for another story.
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