William Townsend (mayor)
William Townsend (1821 – 25 October 1882) was a leading auctioneer, Mayor of Adelaide from 1864 to 1866, and a South Australian politician. In 1874 he established an institution for deaf and blind children which was named Townsend House.[1]
Early years
Townsend was born in the London Borough of Southwark, and worked assisting his brother, a potato salesman, and subsequently as a clerk. He married Emma Slade at St Pancras on 25 December 1852, and soon after set sail for Adelaide. He, his wife and child arrived in South Australia aboard the Dutch ship Fop Smit on 2 August 1853. Emma died soon after arrival. He subsequently married Jane Hooper.[1]
Migration to South Australia
At first he was employed as a boot salesman, and subsequently opened a business as a boot-maker. On the advice of F.J. Botting, he became an auctioneer, gaining experience with several Adelaide firms. He helped found Townsend, Botting & Kay with F. J. Botting and William Kay. Ultimately he became a leading auctioneer, forming his own business, "Townsend and Son".[1][2]
Political career
A fluent and forcible speaker, he became a popular public lecturer, and a lay preacher of the Congregational Church. He was interested in the formation of responsible government in South Australia from its beginnings, and helped frame the 1855 Constitution. He unsuccessfully stood in the colony's first election, but entered the
Public offices and philanthropy
Townsend served two terms as mayor of Adelaide in 1864–66, and was mayor of Unley in 1878–81.[1]
"Townsend House" was founded in 1874 by Townsend who, after two terms in office as
Personal
Townsend lived at "Waverley" in Lower Mitcham.
References
- ^ ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
- ^ a b Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- ^ "William Townsend". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ South Australian homes and gardens, June 1953, p. 33 & 35
External links
- Library catalogue references (State Library of South Australia)
- Norman, W. A. (1954) "William Townsend" in History of the City of Mitcham, p. 285-287
- Obituary, Frearson's weekly illustrated, 28 October 1882, p. 599
- Death of Mr. William Townsend, M.P, Adelaide observer, 28 October 1882, p. 32, col. a; p. 33, col. a-d
- Townsend William 1821–1882, list of references at the State Library of South Australia
- Newspaper articles ("Trove" nla.gov.au)
- "Obituary: Mr William Townsend". The Border Watch. 1 November 1882. p. 4. Retrieved 17 December 2022 – via Trove.