Page 1 of 1

J. S. Townsend of Chicago

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:08 pm
by dognose
J.S. TOWNSEND

1554, Wabash Avenue, Chicago

It's not often you find a jeweller, so popular, as to inspire poetry. This was written in 1888:

Dedicated to Mr. J. S. Townsend, the popular railroad jeweler, Chicago, III., by Mother Jones:

I know you all love Jewelry, so I'll tell you where to buy
And it will save fifteen per.cent. this gentleman to try
He is honorable and honest, and well filled is his store
There is no one in the country of variety has more.

He has watches, he has lockets, he has emblems
he has pins; I could not name one-third the part of all the
pretty things. And he is a noble fellow, too: good-principled is he.
Henceforth it is J. S. Townsend my Jeweler shall be.

He has just designed two pretty pins and named them both for me;
Of all the jewelry in his store, none prettier can there be.
I want them worn by all my friends, and all my girls and boys.
Those " Mother Jones' " pins you find at Chicago, Illinois.

Four of my boys came here to-day from off the O. & M. line;
They all exclaimed, " Why, Mother, dear, what makes you look so fine?"
"Why, can't you see my brand new pins, with monogram B. R. B.
Which Townsend, of Chicago, has lately sent to me?"

It makes me look much younger to have those beauties on,
And those who love old Mother Jones are going to send for one;
This lovely, handsome ladies' pin, for me was just designed;
It will please the most fastidious taste, no matter how refined.

Then, boys, this other you see here encircled by a wreath.
With monogram so finely cut, and link and pin beneath.
Was also just a new design made up for all my boys,
By this same jolly Townsend, of Chicago, Illinois.

Just then spoke up my Harry Smith," Now, Ma, your word I'll trust.
And for my wife I'll get a pin–yes, I'll get one sure, or bust:
And I know that George will do the same, for he is all alive
To the interest of the members of number one six-five."

And so I know that Townsend most popular will be:
He will be patronized by all who these few lines will see;
For Mother the boys have honor, and are not slow to see
That they will also favors show to all who favor me.

There's E. V. Debs and Sargent, they do their trading there;
Those names are quite sufficient to show that he is fair.
If, after you have tried hiin, you find he is not right,
I will Just believe the sun would rise at 10 o'clock at night.



Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1885

Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1885

Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1891

Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1893

Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1894

Image
J S Townsend - Chicago - 1895

Trev.

Re: J. S. Townsend of Chicago

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 5:32 am
by dognose
Image
J. S. Townsend - Chicago - 1891

Trev.

Re: J. S. Townsend of Chicago

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 11:48 am
by silverly
John Stone Townsend was born in Bath, Somerset, England on 29 December 1854 and immigrated to the United States in 1872. He died in Chicago on 3 July 1916.

Re: J. S. Townsend of Chicago

Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:49 am
by dognose
Thanks Pat, that is interesting. I wonder if he is to be identified with any of the Townsend silversmiths of Bath, Thomas, William, or John, all who were noted by Arthur Grimwade.

TOWNSEND, John Stone, jeweler; born at Bath. Somersetshire, Eng.. Dec. 30, 1854: son James and Esther Mary (Stone) Townsend; ed. pub. school, Bath and King's Grammar School; married Marie Eugenie Perin, of Paris, France, 1890. Jeweler in Chicago since 1877, without change of location; official railroad time inspector for 6 railroads over 20 years; notary pub. 18 years; consul of Haiti. Served in Chicago Hussars. Ill. Cav., 12 years, becoming 1st lt. Was pres. Mutual Loan & Security Bldg. Assn. 18 years; pres. Sons and Daughters of the British Empire; was president, later grand pres. and now supreme officer of Order Sons of St. George; vice-pres. Victoria Memorial Assn., British Empire Assn.; sec. la Societe Francalse de Bienfaisance; mem. Secours Mutuelle Franchise. Republican. Mem. Church of England. Mason; Nat. Union. Residence: 1623 Prairie Av. Office: 1554 S. Wabash Av.

Source: The Book of Chicagoans - 1911

Trev.