James Matthew Townsend

James Matthew Townsend
Townsend in 1889
Born(1841-08-11)August 11, 1841
DiedMay 17, 1913(1913-05-17) (aged 71)
Alma materOberlin College
Occupation(s)Educator, politician, minister
Political partyRepublican
Religious life
ReligionAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church

James Matthew Townsend (August 18, 1841 – June 17, 1913) was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister and a state legislator from Indiana. A Republican, he served in the legislature in the 1884 session. From 1889 to 1891 he was recorder at the General Land Office in Washington, D.C., appointed by President Benjamin Harrison.