John Gillis Townsend Jr. (May 31, 1871 – April 10, 1964) was an American businessman and politician from Selbyville in Sussex County, Delaware.

Soon he recognized the need for railroad ties, set up a sawmill to make them, and began selling them.

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.

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