John G. Townsend, Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John G. Townsend, Jr.
John G. Townsend, Jr.
In office
March 4, 1929 – January 3, 1941
Preceded by Thomas F. Bayard, Jr.
Succeeded by James M. Tunnell
In office
January 16, 1917 – January 18, 1921
Preceded by Charles R. Miller
Succeeded by William D. Denney
Born May 31, 1871(1871-05-31)
Worcester County, Maryland
Died April 10, 1964 (aged 92)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican
Spouse Jennie Collins
Residence Selbyville, Delaware
Occupation businessman
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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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..." [1]


Delaware General Assembly
(sessions while Governor)
Year Assembly Senate Majority President
pro tempore		 House Majority Speaker
1917-1918 99th Republican John A. Barnard Democratic Hervey P. Hall
1919-1920 100th Republican Isaac D. Short Republican Alexander P. Corbit

[edit] Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. State Representatives have a two year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term. U.S. Senators took office March 4th until 1935, when they began taking office January 3rd, and have a six year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Term began Term ended notes
State Representative Legislature Dover 1902 January 13, 1903 January 10, 1905
Governor Executive Dover 1916 January 16, 1917 January 18, 1921
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington 1928 March 4, 1929 January 3, 1935
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington 1934 January 3, 1935 January 3, 1941


Delaware General Assembly service
Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District
1903-1904 92nd State House Republican John Hunn Sussex 7th


United States Congress service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1929-1931 71st U.S. Senate Republican Herbert Hoover class 1
1931-1933 72nd U.S. Senate Republican Herbert Hoover Audit and Control class 1
1933-1934 73rd U.S. Senate Democratic Franklin D. Roosevelt class 1
1935-1936 74th U.S. Senate Democratic Franklin D. Roosevelt class 1
1937-1938 75th U.S. Senate Democratic Franklin D. Roosevelt class 1
1939-1940 76th U.S. Senate Democratic Franklin D. Roosevelt class 1


Government offices
Preceded by
Charles S. Deneen		 Audit and Control Committee
(Chairman)
January 3, 1931 – January 3, 1933		 Succeeded by
James F. Byrnes


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1916 Governor John G. Townsend, Jr. Republican 26,664 52% James H. Hughes Democratic 24,053 47%
1928 U.S. Senator John G. Townsend, Jr. Republican 63,725 61% Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. Democratic 40,828 39%
1934 U.S. Senator John G. Townsend, Jr. Republican 52,829 53% Wilbur L. Adams Democratic 45,771 46%
1940 U.S. Senator John G. Townsend, Jr. Republican 63,799 47% James M. Tunnell Democratic 68,294 51%

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. , p. 358.

[edit] References

  • Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr.. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-20-6. 
  • Hoffecker, Carol E. (2000). Honest John Williams. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. 
  • Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. 
  • Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. 
  • Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin. 
  • Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5. 
  • Sobel, Robert; J. Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4. 

[edit] Images

[edit] External links

[edit] Places with more information


Seal of the US Senate
 United States Congress
Senate • Senators • Senate Leadership • Senate Committees • Senate elections
House • Representatives • House Leadership • House Committees • House elections • Districts
71st Congress • 72nd Congress • 73rd Congress • 74th Congress • 75th Congress • 76th Congress
Seal of the US House
v • d • e
Government of Delaware