Norton Strange Townshend facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norton Strange Townshend
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 21st district |
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| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph M. Root |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Stuart |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Lorain County district |
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| In office December 4, 1848 – December 2, 1849 |
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| Preceded by | Elah Park |
| Succeeded by | Joseph L. Whiton |
| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 27th district |
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| In office January 2, 1854 – January 6, 1856 |
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| Preceded by | Aaron Pardee |
| Succeeded by | Herman Canfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 25, 1815 Clay Coton, Northamptonshire, England, U.K. |
| Died | July 13, 1895 (aged 79) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Resting place | Protestant Cemetery, Avon, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons |
Norton Strange Townshend (born December 25, 1815 – died July 13, 1895) was an important person from Ohio. He was a doctor, a farmer, and a politician. He even served in the U.S. Congress.
Contents
Who Was Norton Strange Townshend?
Early Life and Education
Norton was born in Clay Coton, England, on December 25, 1815. In 1830, when he was 14, he moved to the United States with his parents. They settled in Avon, Ohio.
He learned a lot by reading books from his father's library. He also taught at a local school for a short time. In 1840, he graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. This meant he became a doctor.
A Doctor and Activist
After becoming a doctor, Townshend traveled to Europe. He studied medicine in hospitals in London, Paris, Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1841, he started his own medical practice in Avon, Ohio.
He was also interested in helping others. In 1840, he attended the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. This was a big meeting where people talked about ending slavery around the world.
Serving in Ohio Politics
Townshend later moved to Elyria, Ohio. He became involved in politics there.
- He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1848 to 1849.
- In 1850, he helped write the new state constitution.
- From 1854 to 1855, he served in the Ohio Senate.
Time in Congress
Norton Strange Townshend was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Democrat. He served from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853. As a U.S. Representative, he helped make laws for the entire country.
During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Townshend used his medical skills to help. From 1863 to 1865, he worked as a medical inspector for the Union Army. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel.
A Pioneer in Agriculture
After his political career, Townshend focused on farming. He worked on his farm near Avon. He was also a director for the State board of agriculture for many years.
In 1869, he became a professor of agriculture at Iowa Agricultural College. The next year, in 1870, he was chosen as one of the first leaders for the new Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. He later became a professor of agriculture there in 1873. He taught until 1892, when he became a professor emeritus, meaning he retired but kept his title.
Legacy
Norton Strange Townshend passed away in Columbus, Ohio, in 1895. He was buried in Protestant Cemetery in Avon, Ohio.
His family's papers are kept at the William L. Clements Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A building at Ohio State University, called Townshend Hall, was named after him on May 19, 1896. This shows how important he was to the university and to the study of agriculture.
