T.B. Townsend

Muskingum County Courthouse in Zanesville, Ohio
Tuscarawas County Courthouse
Miami County Courthouse in Troy, Ohio

T.B. Townsend (born 1837) was a farmer and building company owner.[1] He had one of "the most extensive and well-improved farms in" Marion County, Ohio at the start of the 20th Century, the 2,500-acre (10 km2) Rockland Farm. He was also president of T. B. Townsend Brick and Contracting Co. in Zanesville, Ohio, claimed to be the largest brick factory in Ohio at the time.[2]

Background

Townsend was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1837 and moved to Beverly, Ohio in 1846. He moved to Zanesville in 1867. his properties included a carriage house, horse barn, granary, an "immense" cattle barn, a store, dwelling house for operator, and four houses "for the men that work on the ranch". The property was overseen by Hans Johnson, a Dane. Townsend also owned stockyards and the office of the Townsend Cattle Co. Townsend raised cattle including stockers and feeders, as well as hogs.[2]

Building career

Townsend became a mason and then a contractor and builder at the age of 21. He built several stores, dwellings, court houses, railroads, sewers, and bridges.[2] His works include the Muskingum County Courthouse, Wood County Courthouse, Guernsey County Courthouse,[3] Tuscarawas County Courthouse,[4] Miami County Courthouse,[5] and the Arlington Hotel (since demolished).[6]

Brick was in high demand for use as pavers (including at the "Brickyard" racetrack Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in the early 20th Century and Townsend's bricks are collected along with other historic examples at "Redbud Alley" in Columbus, Ohio.[7] Townsend was reported to have located a vein of clay 25 feet (7.6 m) thick which he used to make vitrified brick for street paving.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Sybil Townsend obituary June 28, 1913 Zanesville Times Recorder, Zanesville Ohio
  2. 1 2 3 T. B. Townsend Rockland Farm June 19, 1901 Peabody News
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Arlington Hotel + photo Ohio Historical Society
  7. ↑ Dennis J. McCann A stroll through history on the brick pavement of Redbud Alley November 4, 2009 This Week
  8. ↑ Clays and Coals of Muskingum County B. Wheeler The Ohio Mining Journal
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