Charles Townsend (1834-1900) was a Republican politician in the Ohio House of Representatives, Ohio Senate, and was Ohio Secretary of State from 1881 to 1883.

Quick Facts 22nd Ohio Secretary of State, Governor ...

Charles Townsend
22nd Ohio Secretary of State
In office January 10, 1881 – January 8, 1883
Governor	Charles Foster
Preceded by	Milton Barnes
Succeeded by	James W. Newman
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Athens County district
In office January 7, 1878 – January 9, 1881
Preceded by	Charles H. Grosvenor
Succeeded by	Charles L. Kurtz
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 9th district
In office January 2, 1888 – January 5, 1890
Preceded by	Calvin S. Welch
Succeeded by	V. C. Lowrey
Personal details
Born	(1834-12-22)December 22, 1834 Belmont County, Ohio
Died	January 12, 1900(1900-01-12) (aged 65)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Margaret J. Allen
Children	three
Alma mater	Ohio University Cincinnati Law School
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	August 10, 1861 -September 22, 1864[1]
Rank	Major
Unit	30th Ohio Infantry

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Charles Townsend was born December 22, 1834, in Harrisville,^[2] Belmont County, Ohio, to Samuel H. Townsend and Rebecca Morrison, and removed to Athens County in childhood.^[3] He attended common schools, and taught school for expenses^[3] as he attended Ohio University, where he graduated in 1861. He founded Decamp Institute in Meigs County, Ohio, and was in charge of that school when the American Civil War began.^[2] In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Union Army, and in August was made a captain in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On January 27, 1864, he was made Major of the regiment. After the War he graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1866. Townsend was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Athens County, Ohio, three times.^[2]

In 1877 he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for the 64th General Assembly, and re-elected in 1879 for the 65th.^[4] He resigned when he was elected Ohio Secretary of State in 1880, and ran again in 1882, but was defeated. He served as State Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1887 for the 9th District in the 68th General Assembly.^[5]

Townsend married Margaret Jane Allen in October 1859, and had three children, Helen, Charles and Mary.^[3] He was a Mason.^[3]