Education
Born in New York City, Townsend was educated at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.
United States representative politician
Born in New York City, Townsend was educated at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.
He worked in the sugar refining business, and was active in other ventures including the Equitable Life Assurance Society and the Bankers" and Merchants" Telegraph Company. Townsend was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry G. Stebbins and served from December 5, 1864, to March 3, 1865. Townsend was elected to the Forty-second Congress (March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873).
He resumed his former business pursuits.
He died in New York City on October 29, 1899. He was interred in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New New York