Bio of TOWNSEND, Burt Balch (b.1862), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 140-143
BURT BALCH TOWNSEND
Through the greater part of his life Burt Balch Townsend was connected with the
furniture business in Minneapolis and made for himself a creditable position in
the mercantile circles of the city by reason of the progressive methods which he
followed and the thorough reliability which characterized his every trade
transaction. He was a resident of Minneapolis from pioneer times, his birth
having occurred in what was then the town of St. Anthony, on the 22d of May,
1862. His parents, William H. and Emily (Nason) Townsend, were both natives of
Maine and became early residents of Minneapolis, casting in their lot with the
settlers here when the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun
in many parts of this great state.
In his youthful days Burt B. Townsend was a pupil in the public schools of his
native city and also pursued a course in the University of Minnesota. He
afterward entered the furniture business, being first connected with the firm of
Phelps & Brad-street. He continued active along that line until 1904. In 1904 he
became associated with the firm of Hummel & Downing Company of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, manufacturers of fibre boxes, and up to the time of his death, when
he was succeeded by his son, Sprague Pillsbury Townsend, he represented their
interests throughout the Northwest.
In the year 1886 Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Pillsbury, a
daughter of George A. and Margaret S. (Carleton) Pillsbury, who were natives of
New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend became parents of one son, Sprague
Pillsbury, who was educated in the Minneapolis schools and in the University of
Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1916. In 1917 he
married Miss Margaret Hodge of Minneapolis, and they have one child, Mary Alice.
Mr. Townsend was a prominent member of several of the leading clubs of the city,
belonging to the Interlachen and Athletic clubs and he was also deeply
interested in those forces which make for cultural and moral uplift. He was long
associated with Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, Minnesota, and served as
president of its board of trustees. He was likewise a member of the Trinity
Baptist church, and served as one of the officers of the Baptist state
convention. No good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his aid
in vain and in so far as possible he extended a help­ing hand where aid was
needed. Politically he was a lifelong republican, interested in the success of
the party and standing at all times for those projects and plans which he felt
were necessary to good government. In 1916 he went abroad both for pleasure and
the benefit of his health. While traveling in Honolulu he passed away, on the
6th of December, 1916, when he was but fifty-four years of age. Having spent his
life in Minneapolis, he was widely known here and his many substantial qualities
and traits of character had gained for him the respect and esteem of all.