Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-04
FUNERAL OF DR. TOWNSEND.


a EuIogy of the Deceased Physician |
by the Rev. DR.. Burdett Hart.
The funeral of the late DR.. T. Beers
Townsend was held yesterday afternoon at
8 o'clock from Raynham, the family resi-
dsnce on Townsend avenue. Rev. DR..
Smyth Of Center church was the officiating
clergyman. He was assisted by Rev. DR..
Burdett Hart, who spoke few words in
regard to the deceased. He said:
"Dr. Townsend took Christian stand
very early in life. At about the age of
thirteen he Joined the old First church of
Fair Haven. Independence, decision and
self-relianee were characteristic of him and
he began life with those qualities. He
graduated from Russell's Collegiate insti-
tute and then entered the Yale medical
school, where he graduated with honor.
Afterward he went abroad and studied in
the medical and surgical institutions of the
old world. Returning to this coun-
try he met with great success
a and was ., looked upon N. BY the
most prominent Of the young and rising
physicians. Drs. Knight and Jewett, two
prominent surgeons; DR.. Timothy Beers,
after whom DR.. Townsend was, named;
DR.. Levi Ives and DR.. Charles Hooker
were among those physicians who imme-
| diately preceded him, and who were the
| frat to recognise his worth and abilities.
He came just as they were passing off the
stage. He was thought at the time to be
even superior to Dr.. Knight as a surgeon,
] and was prominently talked of as a can
didate for professorship in the Yale med
ical school, where he was for many years
one of the most brilliant and gifted
Instructors. He performed several very
difficult surgical operations, which gave
him fame in this particular line of the
profession which lasted until his death.
Quite number of years ago he was sud
denly stricken down from his activity and
which resulted in his death. During these
years he has been retired from all his pub
lie and social duties on account of his i'll
health. Yet when any of his friends came
to see him he was cheerful and glad to seq
them, and the old time sunny welcome
| greeted them.
DR.. Hart then spoke of the strong
Christian steadfastness of DR.. Townsend
and of his willingness and even strong
desire to 20 and leave this world. He
knew what the Christian faith was, for he
had seen eminent Christians In each of his
parents. The clergyman then spoke of
the strangeness aud mystery of Gods dis
cipline which chastens and yet purifes.
There were many exquisitely beautiful
floral tributes, which were given by the
family and friends of the deceased. A pro-
fusion of Easter lilies covered the casket.
Beside the elegant array from the members
of the family, there were also very choice
tributes from Mrs. John A. Porter. Mrs.
James q. English and Mrs. Wallace B.
Fem of this city and Mrs. Helm of Helm
eta, N. j., all of whom were present.
The old homestead seemed filed to over
flowing with sorrowing friends, all walks
of life being represented in the assembled
throng gathered to pay the last sad tributes
of affection and esteem for the sleeper.
Among those present were: Judge John
g. HOLSTER, Thomas r. Trewbridgs. E
Hayes Trowbridge, jr., Henry Trowbridge,
Rutherford Trowbridge, Charles W, Allen,
the Messrs. Street, New Haven merchants;
William Woodward, E. ]. Epson, the
Nessrs. Buckalew of New Jersey, Wallace
B Fem, James G.. English, Captain Nor
George Harold of New York, Drs Dag.
gett, Sanford, Ives, Foster, Gilbert, T. 81.
Bishop, T. a. Russell, DR.. Chamber
lain of Cheshire.
The honorary bearers were: DR.. D. L
Daggett, DR.. L. J. Sanford, DR.. R. s. Ives,
DR.. J. P. g. Foster, DR.. s. D. Gilbert, DR.
T. q. Bishop, DR.. T. q. Russell, Wallace B
Fem and James g. English. all of this
city, and George Harroll of New York,
and DR.. Chamberlain of Cheshire The
interment was in the Townsend plot il
the Grove street cemetery, Rev. DR.
Smyth officiating at the grave.