He was an active Republican campaigner as well. In 1889, Townsend was appointed to the position of recorder of the General Land Office in Washington, DC by President Benjamin Harrison. In 1891 he resigned and returned to Indiana. In 1893 he became pastor of Quinn Chapel in Chicago. In the 1890s, Townsend was an outspoken opponent of lynching. In 1895 he was widely criticized for his condemnation of the lynching of Neal Smith in Tennessee. Later career In 1901 he took charge of Bethel AME church in Indianapolis. Family and death Townsend married Cornelia A. Settle (1843-1923) in 1871. They had two daughters, one of whom was Grace E. (Townsend) Fowler (1889 - 1918). Townsend died June 17, 1913 at his home in Richmond after several months' illness. He was survived by his wife and daughters. His funeral was at his home and he was buried in Richmond's Earlham cemetery. References 1841 births 1913 deaths People from Richmond, Indiana People from Indianapolis People from Gallipolis, Ohio People from Chicago People of Indiana in the American Civil War African-American educators African-American state legislators in Indiana African Methodist Episcopal Church clergy African Americans in the American Civil War Activists for African-American civil rights Benjamin Harrison administration personnel Educators from Illinois Educators from Ohio Educators from Indiana