Washington Townsend

Washington Townsend (January 20, 1813 – March 18, 1894) was an American lawyer, banker, and politician who served four terms as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1869 to 1877.

Washington Townsend
Townsend, c. 1860–1875
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th & 6th district
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875 (7th) March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 (6th)
Preceded by	John M. Broomall (7th) James S. Biery (6th)
Succeeded by	Alan Wood Jr. (7th) William Ward (6th)
Personal details
Born	(1813-01-20)January 20, 1813 West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	March 18, 1894(1894-03-18) (aged 81) West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting place	Oaklands Cemetery
Political party	Whig, Republican
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Barnard Elizabeth Gibbons
Parent	David Townsend (father)
Profession	Politician lawyer

Early life

Washington Townsend was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His father was botanist David Townsend, co-founder and chief cashier of the Bank of Chester County. He attended a private school and West Chester Academy. He was engaged as a bank teller from 1828 to 1844. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced practice in West Chester.

Early career

He was prosecuting attorney of Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1848. He served as deputy attorney under Attorneys General James Cooper and Cornelius Darragh. He was cashier of the Bank of Chester County from 1849 to 1857. He was a delegate to the Whig National Convention in 1852, and a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention.

He was elected as a member to the American Philosophical Society in 1882.

Congress

Townsend was elected as a Republican to the Forty-first and to the three succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Public Lands during the Forty-third Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1876.

Later career

He again resumed the practice of his profession in West Chester, and served as president of the Bank of Chester County from 1879 to 1894.

Death

He died in West Chester in 1894. Interment was in Oaklands Cemetery, near West Chester.

References

• United States Congress. "Washington Townsend (id: T000337)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Washington Townsend at The Political Graveyard

External links

• Washington Townsend at Find a Grave