John Joseph Townsend, president of the Union Club, died yesterday, age sixty-three, at his home, No. 131 Fifth ave, after a serious illness of only a few days, Mr. Townsend was a prominent club man, and the news of his death caused great regret, not only among members of the Union Club, but among many of New York's most prominent families. Mr. Townsend has not been in good health for a year or more, and for some time it has been his custom to visit Europe every year for his health.
He left New York for Europe last June, and visited Vichy, Ems, Baden Baden and Paris, hoping to be benefited by the trip, and it was confidently expected by his many friends and Dr. Frederick Delafield, his family physician, that he would return with renewed health. He sailed by Etruria, on her last westward trip, and was stricken with pneumonia while on board. He was attended by the ship's physician.
At first his case was not regarded as serious, but on Sunday and Monday his illness became much more severe, and it was not thought that he could live twelve hours. When the passengers were landed on Monday he was taken to his house in an ambulance, and upon his arrival there seemed to rally somewhat and was better for about thirty-six hours.
He then began to fail slowly, but surely, and continued to get weaker until the time of his death. At his bedside were his wife, his sons, John Joseph Townsend, jr, Fitzhugh Townsend. Arthur Townsend, his daughter, Elizabeth Townsend, Dr. Delafield and Dr. F. M. Jackson. The funeral will be held at Trinity Church tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Mr. Townsend was born in this city in 1825, and was one of the Townsend family long settled at Oyster Bay, L.I. His early youth was spent in this city and Oyster Bay. He was graduated with honors from Columbia college with the class of 1841, at the unusually early age of sixteen, and was admitted to the bar in New York State when he came of age.
In the later years of his life he was only interested in politics relative to matters of taxation pertaining to the cities of New York and Brooklyn, but during the early part of his career he was identified with all Whig and Republican interests and movements. He served with honor several terms in the Assembly, and at one time was chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
During the last few years he had not been in active legal or business life. He was a delegate from New York to the convention which framed the constitutional amendments adopted in 1874. He was much devoted to various charities, but conducted them in a singularly unostentatious way. For more than thirty years he was manager of the House of Refuge. He was a trustee of Columbia College, and the welfare of his alma mater was one of his most decided concerns. He was married in 1854 to Catherine R. Bronson, daughter of the late Arthur Bronson. His wife survives hi. He was elected to membership in the Union Club in 1867 and was made its seventh president on June 13, 1883. In 1869 he was a past master of the Holland Lodge, No 8, F. and A.M.
Mr. Townsend was, as was expressed by Lawrence Wells, vice-president of the Union Club, a courteous and dignified gentleman - - a man who made no enemies and was kindly, generous and genial to everyone. The Governing Committee of the club will pass appropriate resolutions at the regular meeting to be held next week.
