Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Memorial and Family History of Erie County, New York Vol. I, Biographical and Genealogical The Genealogical Publishing Co., Buffalo; 1906-8 [10-11] HON. CHARLES TOWNSEND, son of NATHANIEL TOWNSEND, was born in Norwich, Conn., January 22, 1786, and came to Buffalo in 1811. In 1814, with his partner, GEORGE COIT, he engaged in ship-building and lake transportation, the firm of TOWNSEND & COIT being until 1821 the only Buffalo house following these lines of business. In 1813 Mr. TOWNSEND was appointed Judge of Niagara County, an office which he held till 1826. As a jurist he showed an impartiality and good sense which went far to supply the place of a technical training in the law, and were amply sufficient for the needs of the community. Judge TOWNSEND took a leading part in securing a harbor for Buffalo. In 1821 he with his partner, Mr. COIT, and other citizens mortgaged their private property to the State and obtained a loan of $12,000 for the purpose of building the harbor. The work was accomplished, and on its success the project was taken up by the State and later by the Federal Government, the outcome being the rebuilding of the harbor in its present form. In the courageous and disinterested act of Judge TOWNSEND and his coadjutors in pledging their own property for the benefit of the public, was the germ of the greatness of the port of Buffalo. The TOWNSEND name is also identified with the origin of that standard financial institution, the Buffalo Savings Bank. The bank was organized May 9, 1846, Judge TOWNSEND being elected its first Presi- dent, an office which he continued to hold until his death. Judge TOWNSEND married JANE CORNING at Albany, N. Y., June 5, 1819. Their children were ANNA M. (STONE), born April 23, 1820; GEORGE C., born September 25, 1821, died January 30, 1852; JANE C. (WILSON), born November 30, 1823; MARY W. (KICH), born December 5, 1826, died Feb- ruary 11, 1896; CHARLES, born April 12, 1831; FRANCES H. (ROSSEEL), born July 25, 1835. The death of Judge TOWNSEND occurred in Buffalo, September 14, 1847. He survived his wife by six years. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access the more of our information about Erie County, N.Y., by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ny/erie/ ===========================================================================