The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-03-13
IN MEMORIAM
Of the Late William Playford Town
6h0nd.

Oeatn, at the very DeSL, Is OuI d
sad contemplation. Let 1t come how
it may, or where, or when, some
home is left desolate, some chair at
the hearth. stone Is vacant, some
bOdy's tears are shed, some poor.
stricken, wounded heart Is left to its
lonely weeping and to bear its sOr
rows alone TO its God through al!
this might of life waiting for the
dawning OF the bright Tomorrow"
But it is infrequent indeed that
either communities or individuals
are called upon to endure such be-
reavements rs the family and friends,
as well as the legal profession, and
indeed the entire community, is
called upon to suffer in the sad and
untimely taxing off of the young
subject of this brief sketch.
William Playf0r Townshend was
born in the month of April In the
year 1858. After receiving the edu-
cation usually afforded by the
schools here, he was. at the
age of eighteen or nineteen years. ap-
pointed by the late William H.
Tower, E-q. a deputy in his office.
he then being clerk of the Circuit
Court for this county, where he re.
manned about Il year or probably a
little more, when he left the clerk 3
Office and entered the Business Coll
lege at Pouketpsie. New York, from
which institution he graduated
amongst the fist Of his elias. and in a
much shorter time than that allowed
except to regular graduates from
other institutions of learning. 1t
WAS during his employment as dep.
uty in the Office of the clerk of the
Circuit Court that he was appointed
Auditor for this court, which posi-
ton he filed with perfect satisfaction
TO the Court and bar until he was
elected to the office of States Attor.
ney in the fall Of 1887, which position
he occupied at the time of his death
and in which he won for himself rec
ogni;iOn as sound and able lawyer
and fair and impartial prosecutor.
After graduating from the college
at Poukeepsie he returned to Oakland
where he entered the law office of j.
w. Veitch. then the States Attorney
of this county, for the purpose of
studying law. Earnestly, energeti-
cally and lndustriously, he seemed to
love the profession he had chosen.
He worked at it as men only work
at an emplOs ment which they love
ami it appears that his profession did
not Slight his affection for it repaid
his labor with lts kindest faYors.
He was called to the bar in 1880
and immediately entered into a co.
partnership with j. w. Veitch, who
had been his preceptor. which part.
nershlp had existed continuously up
to the time of his death.
] w. Veitch declining to he can
didate for the office OF States Attor'
ney in 1887, Mr.. Townshend became
the candidate of the Republican par
ty for that office and was elected. He
came admirably equipped to the bal
and when elected States Attorney ht
brought much learning and expert.
edce in that branch of law to the eX.
ecution of the dutiss of that office.
Mr.. T0Wnsheud was par excellence
An Oakland man, he haylns been
born and reared and having never
made his residence in any other
place and in this respect he was an
exception of the rule that prophet
is not without honor save in his own
country and amongst his own people
for here is the place of his nativity
and amongst his own people he had
many friends. many who respected
and hOnored him. He was man,
take him for all and all. We may sell
dom look upon his like again. Soci'
ally. he WAS modest and retiring, but
affahIe and courteous. He was true
friend and not revengetul or re.
lentless enemy.
In his domestic relations in his
home, where those lovely Christian
virtues shine with SD much of bril-.
liancy and beauty in symmetrical char.
acter, he was model az father; he
was tender and kind; as husband
gentle and affectinnate; as church
member, he was exemplary; as Il cit
izen. public spirited and progressive;
as a lawyer, he WAS possessed of a de.
gree of bearing and skill In his pro-
fessi0n far above the average of its
members. He Was faithful to every
trust reposed in him and he has gone
from his professional strife bearing
with him the pIaudit of every law
yer: "Well done."