John G. Townsend, Jr.

John G. Townsend, Jr.
United States Senator
from Delaware
In office
March 4, 1929 – January 3, 1941
Preceded by Thomas F. Bayard, Jr.
Succeeded by James M. Tunnell
55th Governor of Delaware
In office
January 16, 1917 – January 18, 1921
Lieutenant Lewis T. Eliason
Preceded by Charles R. Miller
Succeeded by William D. Denney
Personal details
Born May 31, 1871
Worcester County, Maryland
Died April 10, 1964 (aged 92)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) 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 and two terms as U. S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Townsend was born at Bishopville, in Worcester County, Maryland, son of John Gillis, Sr. and 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 and political 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.

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 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 at age 92, while at Philadelphia, and is buried in the Red Men's Cemetery at Selbyville.

"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

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. 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 are popularly elected and took office March 4 until 1935, when they began taking office January 3 for a six-year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
State Representative Legislature Dover January 13, 1903 January 10, 1905
Governor Executive Dover January 16, 1917 January 18, 1921
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington March 4, 1929 January 3, 1935
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington 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
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%

Notes

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

References

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External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Charles R. Miller		 Governor of Delaware
1917–1921 		Succeeded by
William D. Denney
United States Senate
Preceded by
Thomas F. Bayard, Jr.		 U.S. Senator from Delaware
1929-1941 		Succeeded by
James M. Tunnell