Rapid City Journal Monday, Nov. 13, 1950 - page 4
Retired State Editor Is Dead Vermillion, Nov. 13 -(AP)-
J. B. Townsley, 71, retired weekly newspaper publisher here, died today after a two weeks’ illness. Townsley first came to Vermillion 56 years ago. Subsequently, he lived in Gettysburg and later in Iowa for a time.
In partnership with A. H. Lathrop, he published the weekly Dakota Republican here from 1923 to 1947, when the paper was merged with the Vermillion Plain Talk. He had been in the employ of the Plain Talk since that time and also had a column, “The Passing Parade,” in the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. Townsley was active in Republican party politics. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Clay county register of deeds in the general election last Tuesday. Surviving are his widow and two daughters, in California and Milwaukee.
The Sioux City Journal Tues., Nov. 14, 1950 —page 10
J. B. Townsley, 71, Veteran Vermillion News Man, Succumbs.
Vermillion, S.D.—Special:
J. B. Townsley, veteran Vermillion newspaper man, died Monday at a hospital here after an illness of several weeks. He was a member of the Vermillion Plain Talk staff at the time of his death. Mr. Townsley, a republican, had been defeated in last Tuesday’s election for the office of Clay county register of deeds.
The veteran news man and A. H. Lathrop purchased the Dakota Republican, a Vermillion weekly paper, in 1923. They sold out to the Plain Talk in 1947. Mr. Townsley remained on the staff.
Survivors include the widow, Emeline C.; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Rawlings in California and Dorothy in Milwaukee, and two brothers, Arthur in Montana and Paul in the Hawaiian Islands.
Sioux Falls, Argus-Leader Wed. November 15, 1950 - page 6
J. B. Townsley
In the death of J. B. Townsley of Vermillion, South Dakota lost one of its finest citizens. He was a man of ability and of character. Throughout many years he served well his community, his state and his nation. His column in The Argus-Leader, “The Passing Parade,” reflected the fine homespun philosophy that dominated his thoughts. He found pleasure in the simple things of life and placed great emphasis upon simple virtues. He was a friendly man, a kindly man. His neighbors and friends in Vermillion will miss him and so will the many thousands of South Dakotans who derived information, pleasure and satisfaction from his excellent column in the Sunday edition of this newspaper.
Submitted by: Volunteer researcher