John G. Townsend, Jr.

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = John G. Townsend,
honorific-suffix = Jr.


imagesize =
small

office = U.S. Senator from Delaware
term_start = March 4 1929
term_end = January 3 1941
predecessor = Thomas F. Bayard, Jr.
successor = James M. Tunnell
office2 = Governor of Delaware
term_start2 = January 16 1917
term_end2 = January 18 1921
predecessor2 = Charles R. Miller
successor2 = William D. Denney
birth_date = birth date|1871|5|31|mf=y
birth_place = Worcester County, Maryland
death_date = death date and age|1964|4|10|1871|5|31
death_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
spouse = Jennie Collins
party = Republican
residence = Selbyville, Delaware
alma_mater =
occupation = businessman
profession =
religion = Methodist

John Gillis Townsend, Jr. (May 31 1871 – April 10 1964) was an American businessman and politician from Selbyville, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as Governor of Delaware and two terms as U. S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Townsend was born May 31 1871 at Bishopville, in Worcester County, Maryland, son of John Gillis, Sr. & Mariedith Dukes Townsend. He married Jennie Collins, and they had seven children, John G. III, Jennie Thelma, Paul, Julia, Preston Coleman, Edith, and Lyla. His wife was killed in an automobile accident while he was Governor. They were members of the Methodist Church.

Professional career

When the railroad first came through Bishopville, Townsend learned telegraphy and was hired by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Soon he realized the need for railroad ties, set up a saw mill to make them, and began selling them. In 1896 he moved his family to Selbyville, Delaware, where he began growing strawberries. Before long he was known as the "Strawberry King." To better manage his business he set up his own bank, the Baltimore Trust Company, at the time the second largest bank in the state. Moving into poultry, corn and soybeans, by the time of his death, Townsend, Inc. grew into one of the largest, most diversified agricultural businesses in Delaware. He continued his businesses after entering politics, and returned to their management when he was not in office.

Governor of Delaware

Townsend was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives and served one term during the 1903/04 session as a member of the Addicks, or Union Republican, faction of the Republican Party. He was elected Governor of Delaware in 1916 by defeating Democrat James H. Hughes, a lawyer from Dover, Delaware. He served one term from January 16 1917 to January 18 1921.

United States Senator

Townsend was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1928, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. and was reelected in 1934, defeating former Democratic U.S. Representative Wilbur L. Adams. Townsend lost his bid for a third term in 1940 to Democrat James M. Tunnell, a lawyer from Georgetown, Delaware. In all, Townsend served two terms from March 4 1929 to January 3 1941.

In the 72nd Congress he was Chairman of the Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses. He was also a member of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission in 1939 and 1940.

Death and legacy

Townsend died April 10 1964, age 92, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is buried at the Red Men Cemetery, Selbyville, Delaware. At the time of his death, he was the earliest Governor of any State still living.

"Townsend's administration was one of progressiveness and reform...all the major reforms of the 19th century came to maturity during this time: woman suffrage, new and better highways, prohibition, school reform, etc..." [cite book |title= A History of Delaware Through its Governors |last= Martin |first= Roger A. |coauthors= |work= |publisher= McClafferty Press |location= Wilmington, Delaware |pages= |year= 1984 |id=, p. 358.]