| Dwight Townsend | |
| State: | New York |
| District: | 1st |
| Term Start: | December 5, 1864 |
| Term End: | March 3, 1865 |
| Predecessor: | Henry G. Stebbins |
| Successor: | Stephen Taber |
| Term Start2: | March 4, 1871 |
| Term End2: | March 3, 1873 |
| Predecessor2: | Henry A. Reeves |
| Successor2: | Henry J. Scudder |
| Birth Date: | 26 September 1826 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Death Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Resting Place: | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Party: | Democrat |
| Education: | Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School |
| Occupation: | Businessman |
Dwight Townsend (September 26, 1826 – October 29, 1899) was a U.S. Representative from New York. He became chairman of the Bankers' and Merchants' Telegraph Company, competitor of the Western Union
Born in New York City, Townsend was educated at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.[1] He worked in the sugar refining business, and was active in other ventures including the Equitable Life Assurance Society and the Bankers' and Merchants' Telegraph Company.[2] [3] [4]
Townsend was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry G. Stebbins and served from December 5, 1864, to March 3, 1865.[1] During this term, Townsend voted "nay" (the minority position) on the question of adopting the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.[5]
Townsend was elected to the Forty-second Congress (March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873).[1] He did not run for reelection, and resumed his former business pursuits.[1]
He died in New York City on October 29, 1899.[6] He was interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.[1]