Frederick Townsend II was a partner of the firm from 1899 to 1920.
Townsend was born in 1871, a descendant of one of Albany’s oldest families. He attended Albany Boys Academy where he excelled, graduating at the head of his class. He went on to Harvard College where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He then earned his law degree at Harvard Law School. After law school, Townsend returned to Albany and entered the firm, then known as Tracey, Cooper & Rathbone. In 1899, after Rathbone went to New York City, Townsend became a partner, and the firm became Tracey, Cooper & Townsend. Townsend’s forte was banking. During his law career he was a trustee and attorney for the Albany Savings Bank. He then became its president, and served in that capacity until he retired in 1941.
He was also served as vice-president of State Bank of Albany, Treasurer of the Van Rensselaer Land Company, and as the president of the Albany Home for Children. He was also as a trustee of Albany Medical College and Dudley Observatory.
He died in 1949 at age 78 having lived a long and distinguished life.
