John Townsend

John Townsend (1783–1854) was a prominent industrialist and politician in the Albany, New York area. He was unanimously elected Mayor of Albany three times and served as the 37th Mayor of the city. Early life and family 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. Career Iron Business Townsend moved to Albany, New York in 1802 to work for his brother Isaiah who ran a successful iron and foundry business in the city called "I & J Townsend" The firm was involved in the buying and selling of iron and produced in their foundry machine castings and railcar wheels. Townsend took over the business when his brother died in 1838. Townsend's nephew, Franklin Townsend joined the business as a young man in 1849. Upon the John Townsend's death Franklin took over and continued the business.