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Vinton Eagle; March 1913
Another Pioneer Mother Is Called.. Mrs. J. M. Downing passed Away Sunday Afternoon After A Long Illness.
Elizabeth Downing
Mrs J.M. Downing passed away Sunday afternoon after an illness of three months, which was preceded by number of years of invalidism. Surrounded by husband and children and all the care which love could devise, the end came as a gracious release from suffering. Mrs Downing was a devoted member of the Methodist church, which she joined after coming to Vinton to make her home, and was also a faithful member of the W. C. T. E. Her chief interest was her home where she was a devoted wife and mother.
Elizabeth Pierce was born in Richland county, Ohio, Dec. 22, 1837, and came to Iowa in the fifties. On Jan. 10, 1864, she was married to J.M. Downing of Cedar county, Iowa, and in 1887 they came to Benton county, their home being in Eden township until 1897, when they retired and moved to Vinton. Five children were born, all of whom, with the aged husband, survive: Elmer P., Mrs. Viola Stickney, Mrs. Laura Martin, Mrs. Gertrude Henderson, all of Vinton, and Mrs. Matilda Tompkin, of Denver, Colo., thirteen grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was one of a family of fourteen children, only one of whom, Mrs. Alexander Murray of Mechanicsville, survives her.
The funeral will be held at the home, 405 E. Elm St., Wednesday morning at half past ten and will be conducted by Rev. L.A. Swisher of Vinton.
{Submitter comment: Elizabeth Downing was a great grandmother of mine}
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