Timothy Wesley Townsend (April 11, 1844 – July 1, 1912) was an American photographer.
He established one of the earliest photography studios in IowaLeading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, by Charles R. Aurner. 2 vols. Cedar Rapids: Western Hist. Pr., 1912–13. and produced the stereoview series "Gems of Clear Lake" and "Views of Iowa City and Vicinity".
Early life and family Townsend was born in Fredericks Grove, Knox County, Ohio. The son of James Townsend and Susanna (Rogers) Townsend, he married Anna Emaline Coover, daughter of Isaac and Anna Wilhelmina Coover at Muscatine, Iowa on January 4, 1866. They had two children, Alva Coover Townsend and Charles Fremont Townsend, both would follow their father into the photography business. Timothy's brother, Israel Lewis Townsend, and his nephew James Arthur Townsend were also photographers. Israel having a studio at Iowa Falls, Iowa and James having a studio at Hastings, Nebraska. Israel produced the stereoview series Iowa Falls and Vicinity.
Photography career In 1866, T. W. Townsend moved to Iowa City, Johnson county, Iowa and established a Townsend's Photography Studio above Whetstone's Drug Store.Annals of Iowa: A historical quarterly. v. 1–12, 1863–74; New Series, v. 1–3, 1882–84; 3d series, v. 1- April 1893 In 1888, T. W. Townsend moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and opened a new Studio there at 226 South Eleventh Street.Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Nebraska, Thursday, November 17, 1938, Page 5 In 1894, T. W. Townsend was awarded a diploma for meritorious work at the exposition of the National Photographers Association in St Louis. In 1895, T. W. Townsend was elected President of the Nebraska State Photographer's Association.Lincoln Evening Journal, February 13, 1920, page 8 In 1898, T. W. Townsend moved to Pasadena, California and bought the Westerfelt Photography Studio, which was the largest studio in Los Angeles.Los Angeles Herald, Volume 25, Number 166, March 15, 1898 He left his Lincoln, Nebraska studio to be run by his son, Alva Coover Townsend. In 1899, T. W. Townsend bought the P. D. Wert's Photography Studio in Iowa City, Iowa. He left his Los Angeles, California studio to be run by his son, Charles Fremont Townsend.Iowa City, Press-Citizen, February 23, 1899, page 5Wilsons Photographic Magazine, Volume XLVI, No. 625, January 1909, page 555The Nebraska State Journal, March 5, 1899, page 6The Courier, March 11, 1899 In 1903, Mr. Townsend's son, Alva, was elected president of the Nebraska State Photographer's Association.Iowa City Press-Citizen, May 23, 1903, page 4 In 1904, Charles Fremont Townsend sold the Los Angeles, California studio and moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he opened a photography studio at 613 Walnut Street.Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa, Friday, August 27, 1948, Page 9 By 1905, Charles Fremont Townsend was the president of the Photography Association of Iowa.Iowa City Press-Citizen, May 4, 1905, page 5 In 1910, Charles Fremont Townsend was elected second vice-president of the National Photography Association. By 1911, he was the vice president. In 1913, Charles Fremont Townsend was elected President of the Photographers Association of America. In 1917, Alva Coover Townsend was elected President of the Missouri Valley Photographer's Association.Kansas City Star, July 20, 1917, page 3 In 1927, Alva Coover Townsend was elected President of the National Photographers Association. He was re-elected in 1928.
Timothy Wesley Townsend died on July 1, 1912.
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