Born in
Brownsville, Pennsylvania, Townsend attended the common schools of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and clerked in a store in Pittsburgh. He moved to
Mansfield, Ohio, in 1839 and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He served as
United States marshal during the Kansas troubles.
Early political career He moved to
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1858 and engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He served as member of the
Cleveland City Council from 1866 to 1876, serving as president for seven years. He served as member of the State
constitutional convention in 1873.
Congress Townsend was elected as a
Republican to the
Forty-fifth,
Forty-sixth, and
Forty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883). He served as chairman of the
Committee on Railways and Canals (Forty-seventh Congress). He declined renomination. He served as member of a wholesale foodpacking firm.
Death and burial He died while on a visit to
St. Augustine, Florida, March 17, 1895. He was interred in
Lake View Cemetery,
Cleveland, Ohio. ==Sources==