Background
John Townsend was born at the Sterling Iron Works in Orange County on June 14, 1783 the son of Henry Townsend and Mary (Bennett) Townsend. He was descended from Henry Townsend one of the founders of Oyster Bay, New York in the mid 17th century.
Townsend married on July 7, 1810 Abby Spencer, daughter of Ambrose and Laura (Canfield) Spencer. Ambrose held a number of important government positions in the City of Albany and in New York State, including 35th Mayor of Albany (1824–1826), New York State Attorney General (1802–1804), and Chief Justice of the New York State Supreme Court (1819–1823).
Laura Spencer"s brother, John Canfield Spencer served as Secretary of War under President John Tyler.
The Townsends resided at 142 State Street, Albany, New New York
The Townsends had twelve children: Theodore, Catherine Clinton, Edward, John, Mary, Julia, Ambrose Spenser, Laura Spenser, Julia Isabella, Abby Eliza, John and Marianna. Julia Townsend (1824–1906) was married to State Senator Allen Munroe (1819–1884).
Career
He was unanimously elected Mayor of Albany three times and served as the 37th Mayor of the city. Upon the John Townsend"s death Franklin took over and continued the business. The business, which was eventually known as the "Townsend Furnace" was located at Broadway, Rensselaer and Mulberry streets fronting upon the Hudson River for 180 feet and the brick building was four stories high
Townsend was Mayor of the City of Albany in 1829, 1830, and 1832.
He was elected to his first term by unanimous vote of the city council on February 9, 1829 upon the resignation of Mayor Charles East. Dudley who took office as United States Senator for New New York He was reelected to a second term on December 21, 1829 by unanimous vote of the council and began his term on January 1, 1830.
Townsend lost the council election on December 29, 1830 by a vote of 9 to 12 to Francis Bloodgood, who then went on to serve as 38th Mayor of the city. He was, however reelected to the office at the council vote on December 29, 1831 and regained the office on January 1, 1832.
In 1832 an outbreak of cholera occurred in Albany and Townsend was praised for his efforts in combating the disease.
On November 20, 1833 the council voted to name a park at the intersection of Washington Avenue and the Bowery (Central Avenue) "Townsend Park" in honor of the then former mayor. At the time of his death Townsend was president of the Commercial Bank of Albany and acting president of the Albany Insurance Company. He was on the board of: Water Commissioners Albany Exchange Company Albany Savings Bank Albany Pier Company Syracuse Coarse Salt Company Watervliet Turnpike Company.
Membership
Townsend was a member of the Whig Party.
