Hon. William Townsend of 12 Park Place, ex-assemblyman, ex-state senator, prominent lawyer, a widely known and public spirited citizen died at his home in Utica at 4 o'clock, Tuesday morning. He had been ill for some little time and his condition had been critical for several days past. Few people, however, knew of his condition, and news of his death will be a great shock to his friends and to the people of the city in general.
Mr. Townsend had for years been one of the best-known and most active and prominent residents of the
city of Utica. He was prominent as a lawyer, prominent in political circles of the city and county, prominent as a citizen, and he had an extensive acquaintance and circle of friends that was constantly widened year, after year. He was long known as one of the Democratic leaders of the city and county and in his party affairs his word and influence counted for much. An orator of unusual ability, he had often spoken in political campaigns, and his service as a party organizer, worker and leader were in great demand when a political campaign was on and the contest was keen and strong. His death, therefore, removes a man whose life was filled with public and political activities, and one whose character and high ideals gave him an honored place in the respect and esteem of his city and county.
Mr. Townsend was born at Walton, Delaware County, August 22, 1848, and his boyhood and young manhood were spent in that place. He was educated at Yale and studied law with Judge Charles Mason and was later in the office of W & John D. Kernan. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was appointed assistant district attorney under M. D. Barnett and served three terms. Upon retiring from this office he formed a partnership with Judge William P. Quinn, now of New York, under the firm name of Townsend and Quinn. Dexter E. Pomeroy was later admitted to the firm and it became Pomeroy, Townsend & Quinn. In 1881 Mr. Quinn retired from the co-partnership and located in New York. The firm then became known as Pomeroy & Townsend.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Townsend was elected to the legislature in a three cornered fight by about 800 plurality. He served one term and was made chairman of the committee on laws and was also a member of the committee on insurance. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for district attorney against W. A. Matteson and ran about 700 ahead of his ticket. He ran again for the same office in 1883 and again received a flattering vote, but the overwhelming Republican majority in the county made his election impossible.
After returning from the legislature Mr. Townsend practiced his profession alone, until January 1, 1897, when he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Thomas S. Jones of Utica and Hon. Henry W. Bentley of Boonville, under the firm name of Bentley, Jones & Townsend. Mr. Jones had just been elected district attorney and he made Mr. Townsend his assistant. Mr. Bentley retired at the end of the first year and the firm became Jones & Townsend. It so remained until the admission of Joseph Rudd, after which the firm became Jones, Townsend & Rudd.
For four years he was a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital. Mr. Towsend was conspicuous as a friend of the working man and his sympathies and services were with them always when needed.
In the legislature Mr. Townsend made a splendid record. He was alert, aggressive, well informed in all legislative matters, and his word there brought him quick recognition and the respect and good will of his associates. There was no Democrat in this county whose services were in greater demand in political campaigns than Mr. Townsend. This was especially so in presidential campaigns, and in other campaigns where there was unusual interest in the candidates or the cause. He was a ready and convincing speaker, popular with his audiences, and his word counted for much with many voters.
During the administration of Mayor Frederick Gillmore, Mr. Townsend was corporation counsel of Utica and he handled the legal affairs of the city in a capable and thorough manner. He had wide experience as a lawyer and was especially well versed in municipal law
Mr. Townsend was a good lawyer, keen and strong in presenting his cases, a convincing speaker, and a hard fighter. His firm handled many important cases and in the preparation of them Mr. Townsend had a leading part.
Since the death of Mr. Jones several years ago the firm has been under the name of Townsend & Casey, with James Casey as the junior member. Mr. Townsend was a member of the Oneida County bar association, and was much interested in the association and its work.
Mr. Townsend had a genial and affable manner that won for him many friends. He was always courteous and kindly in his association with others and his unfailing good nature, loyalty as a friend and good comradeship endeared him to many people. His death removes an upright and dependable citizen, and he will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Townsend is survived by his wife, who was Miss Frances Fairchild; by two brothers, John H. Townsend of Walton, and Charles Townsend of New York City. A brief funeral service was held at his home there on Thursday afternoon, after which the body was brought to Walton, to the home of his brother, John H. Services will be held there on Friday, and interment made in this place. Mr. Townsend was a member of Westminster Church in this city. -- Utica Observer (Source: The Walton Reporter, Dec. 27, 1919 issue, page 6)
Mr. Townsend had for years been one of the best-known and most active and prominent residents of the
city of Utica. He was prominent as a lawyer, prominent in political circles of the city and county, prominent as a citizen, and he had an extensive acquaintance and circle of friends that was constantly widened year, after year. He was long known as one of the Democratic leaders of the city and county and in his party affairs his word and influence counted for much. An orator of unusual ability, he had often spoken in political campaigns, and his service as a party organizer, worker and leader were in great demand when a political campaign was on and the contest was keen and strong. His death, therefore, removes a man whose life was filled with public and political activities, and one whose character and high ideals gave him an honored place in the respect and esteem of his city and county.
Mr. Townsend was born at Walton, Delaware County, August 22, 1848, and his boyhood and young manhood were spent in that place. He was educated at Yale and studied law with Judge Charles Mason and was later in the office of W & John D. Kernan. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was appointed assistant district attorney under M. D. Barnett and served three terms. Upon retiring from this office he formed a partnership with Judge William P. Quinn, now of New York, under the firm name of Townsend and Quinn. Dexter E. Pomeroy was later admitted to the firm and it became Pomeroy, Townsend & Quinn. In 1881 Mr. Quinn retired from the co-partnership and located in New York. The firm then became known as Pomeroy & Townsend.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Townsend was elected to the legislature in a three cornered fight by about 800 plurality. He served one term and was made chairman of the committee on laws and was also a member of the committee on insurance. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for district attorney against W. A. Matteson and ran about 700 ahead of his ticket. He ran again for the same office in 1883 and again received a flattering vote, but the overwhelming Republican majority in the county made his election impossible.
After returning from the legislature Mr. Townsend practiced his profession alone, until January 1, 1897, when he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Thomas S. Jones of Utica and Hon. Henry W. Bentley of Boonville, under the firm name of Bentley, Jones & Townsend. Mr. Jones had just been elected district attorney and he made Mr. Townsend his assistant. Mr. Bentley retired at the end of the first year and the firm became Jones & Townsend. It so remained until the admission of Joseph Rudd, after which the firm became Jones, Townsend & Rudd.
For four years he was a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital. Mr. Towsend was conspicuous as a friend of the working man and his sympathies and services were with them always when needed.
In the legislature Mr. Townsend made a splendid record. He was alert, aggressive, well informed in all legislative matters, and his word there brought him quick recognition and the respect and good will of his associates. There was no Democrat in this county whose services were in greater demand in political campaigns than Mr. Townsend. This was especially so in presidential campaigns, and in other campaigns where there was unusual interest in the candidates or the cause. He was a ready and convincing speaker, popular with his audiences, and his word counted for much with many voters.
During the administration of Mayor Frederick Gillmore, Mr. Townsend was corporation counsel of Utica and he handled the legal affairs of the city in a capable and thorough manner. He had wide experience as a lawyer and was especially well versed in municipal law
Mr. Townsend was a good lawyer, keen and strong in presenting his cases, a convincing speaker, and a hard fighter. His firm handled many important cases and in the preparation of them Mr. Townsend had a leading part.
Since the death of Mr. Jones several years ago the firm has been under the name of Townsend & Casey, with James Casey as the junior member. Mr. Townsend was a member of the Oneida County bar association, and was much interested in the association and its work.
Mr. Townsend had a genial and affable manner that won for him many friends. He was always courteous and kindly in his association with others and his unfailing good nature, loyalty as a friend and good comradeship endeared him to many people. His death removes an upright and dependable citizen, and he will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Townsend is survived by his wife, who was Miss Frances Fairchild; by two brothers, John H. Townsend of Walton, and Charles Townsend of New York City. A brief funeral service was held at his home there on Thursday afternoon, after which the body was brought to Walton, to the home of his brother, John H. Services will be held there on Friday, and interment made in this place. Mr. Townsend was a member of Westminster Church in this city. -- Utica Observer (Source: The Walton Reporter, Dec. 27, 1919 issue, page 6)
Hon. William Townsend of 12 Park Place, ex-assemblyman, ex-state senator, prominent lawyer, a widely known and public spirited citizen died at his home in Utica at 4 o'clock, Tuesday morning. He had been ill for some little time and his condition had been critical for several days past. Few people, however, knew of his condition, and news of his death will be a great shock to his friends and to the people of the city in general.
Mr. Townsend had for years been one of the best-known and most active and prominent residents of the
city of Utica. He was prominent as a lawyer, prominent in political circles of the city and county, prominent as a citizen, and he had an extensive acquaintance and circle of friends that was constantly widened year, after year. He was long known as one of the Democratic leaders of the city and county and in his party affairs his word and influence counted for much. An orator of unusual ability, he had often spoken in political campaigns, and his service as a party organizer, worker and leader were in great demand when a political campaign was on and the contest was keen and strong. His death, therefore, removes a man whose life was filled with public and political activities, and one whose character and high ideals gave him an honored place in the respect and esteem of his city and county.
Mr. Townsend was born at Walton, Delaware County, August 22, 1848, and his boyhood and young manhood were spent in that place. He was educated at Yale and studied law with Judge Charles Mason and was later in the office of W & John D. Kernan. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was appointed assistant district attorney under M. D. Barnett and served three terms. Upon retiring from this office he formed a partnership with Judge William P. Quinn, now of New York, under the firm name of Townsend and Quinn. Dexter E. Pomeroy was later admitted to the firm and it became Pomeroy, Townsend & Quinn. In 1881 Mr. Quinn retired from the co-partnership and located in New York. The firm then became known as Pomeroy & Townsend.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Townsend was elected to the legislature in a three cornered fight by about 800 plurality. He served one term and was made chairman of the committee on laws and was also a member of the committee on insurance. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for district attorney against W. A. Matteson and ran about 700 ahead of his ticket. He ran again for the same office in 1883 and again received a flattering vote, but the overwhelming Republican majority in the county made his election impossible.
After returning from the legislature Mr. Townsend practiced his profession alone, until January 1, 1897, when he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Thomas S. Jones of Utica and Hon. Henry W. Bentley of Boonville, under the firm name of Bentley, Jones & Townsend. Mr. Jones had just been elected district attorney and he made Mr. Townsend his assistant. Mr. Bentley retired at the end of the first year and the firm became Jones & Townsend. It so remained until the admission of Joseph Rudd, after which the firm became Jones, Townsend & Rudd.
For four years he was a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital. Mr. Towsend was conspicuous as a friend of the working man and his sympathies and services were with them always when needed.
In the legislature Mr. Townsend made a splendid record. He was alert, aggressive, well informed in all legislative matters, and his word there brought him quick recognition and the respect and good will of his associates. There was no Democrat in this county whose services were in greater demand in political campaigns than Mr. Townsend. This was especially so in presidential campaigns, and in other campaigns where there was unusual interest in the candidates or the cause. He was a ready and convincing speaker, popular with his audiences, and his word counted for much with many voters.
During the administration of Mayor Frederick Gillmore, Mr. Townsend was corporation counsel of Utica and he handled the legal affairs of the city in a capable and thorough manner. He had wide experience as a lawyer and was especially well versed in municipal law
Mr. Townsend was a good lawyer, keen and strong in presenting his cases, a convincing speaker, and a hard fighter. His firm handled many important cases and in the preparation of them Mr. Townsend had a leading part.
Since the death of Mr. Jones several years ago the firm has been under the name of Townsend & Casey, with James Casey as the junior member. Mr. Townsend was a member of the Oneida County bar association, and was much interested in the association and its work.
Mr. Townsend had a genial and affable manner that won for him many friends. He was always courteous and kindly in his association with others and his unfailing good nature, loyalty as a friend and good comradeship endeared him to many people. His death removes an upright and dependable citizen, and he will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Townsend is survived by his wife, who was Miss Frances Fairchild; by two brothers, John H. Townsend of Walton, and Charles Townsend of New York City. A brief funeral service was held at his home there on Thursday afternoon, after which the body was brought to Walton, to the home of his brother, John H. Services will be held there on Friday, and interment made in this place. Mr. Townsend was a member of Westminster Church in this city. -- Utica Observer (Source: The Walton Reporter, Dec. 27, 1919 issue, page 6)
Mr. Townsend had for years been one of the best-known and most active and prominent residents of the
city of Utica. He was prominent as a lawyer, prominent in political circles of the city and county, prominent as a citizen, and he had an extensive acquaintance and circle of friends that was constantly widened year, after year. He was long known as one of the Democratic leaders of the city and county and in his party affairs his word and influence counted for much. An orator of unusual ability, he had often spoken in political campaigns, and his service as a party organizer, worker and leader were in great demand when a political campaign was on and the contest was keen and strong. His death, therefore, removes a man whose life was filled with public and political activities, and one whose character and high ideals gave him an honored place in the respect and esteem of his city and county.
Mr. Townsend was born at Walton, Delaware County, August 22, 1848, and his boyhood and young manhood were spent in that place. He was educated at Yale and studied law with Judge Charles Mason and was later in the office of W & John D. Kernan. He was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was appointed assistant district attorney under M. D. Barnett and served three terms. Upon retiring from this office he formed a partnership with Judge William P. Quinn, now of New York, under the firm name of Townsend and Quinn. Dexter E. Pomeroy was later admitted to the firm and it became Pomeroy, Townsend & Quinn. In 1881 Mr. Quinn retired from the co-partnership and located in New York. The firm then became known as Pomeroy & Townsend.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Townsend was elected to the legislature in a three cornered fight by about 800 plurality. He served one term and was made chairman of the committee on laws and was also a member of the committee on insurance. In the fall of 1880 he was nominated for district attorney against W. A. Matteson and ran about 700 ahead of his ticket. He ran again for the same office in 1883 and again received a flattering vote, but the overwhelming Republican majority in the county made his election impossible.
After returning from the legislature Mr. Townsend practiced his profession alone, until January 1, 1897, when he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Thomas S. Jones of Utica and Hon. Henry W. Bentley of Boonville, under the firm name of Bentley, Jones & Townsend. Mr. Jones had just been elected district attorney and he made Mr. Townsend his assistant. Mr. Bentley retired at the end of the first year and the firm became Jones & Townsend. It so remained until the admission of Joseph Rudd, after which the firm became Jones, Townsend & Rudd.
For four years he was a member of the board of managers of the Utica State Hospital. Mr. Towsend was conspicuous as a friend of the working man and his sympathies and services were with them always when needed.
In the legislature Mr. Townsend made a splendid record. He was alert, aggressive, well informed in all legislative matters, and his word there brought him quick recognition and the respect and good will of his associates. There was no Democrat in this county whose services were in greater demand in political campaigns than Mr. Townsend. This was especially so in presidential campaigns, and in other campaigns where there was unusual interest in the candidates or the cause. He was a ready and convincing speaker, popular with his audiences, and his word counted for much with many voters.
During the administration of Mayor Frederick Gillmore, Mr. Townsend was corporation counsel of Utica and he handled the legal affairs of the city in a capable and thorough manner. He had wide experience as a lawyer and was especially well versed in municipal law
Mr. Townsend was a good lawyer, keen and strong in presenting his cases, a convincing speaker, and a hard fighter. His firm handled many important cases and in the preparation of them Mr. Townsend had a leading part.
Since the death of Mr. Jones several years ago the firm has been under the name of Townsend & Casey, with James Casey as the junior member. Mr. Townsend was a member of the Oneida County bar association, and was much interested in the association and its work.
Mr. Townsend had a genial and affable manner that won for him many friends. He was always courteous and kindly in his association with others and his unfailing good nature, loyalty as a friend and good comradeship endeared him to many people. His death removes an upright and dependable citizen, and he will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Townsend is survived by his wife, who was Miss Frances Fairchild; by two brothers, John H. Townsend of Walton, and Charles Townsend of New York City. A brief funeral service was held at his home there on Thursday afternoon, after which the body was brought to Walton, to the home of his brother, John H. Services will be held there on Friday, and interment made in this place. Mr. Townsend was a member of Westminster Church in this city. -- Utica Observer (Source: The Walton Reporter, Dec. 27, 1919 issue, page 6)
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