Daniel Downey

DOWNEY, DAWSON, BURNS, YONKER

Posted By: Diane (email)
Date: 2/24/2002 at 19:42:53

One of the prominent early settlers of Albion township was Daniel Downey, who settled here in 1856. Mr. Downey was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1823, where he was educated in the art of farming. He came to the United States in 1847; lived in Vermont about two years; came to Illinois in 1848, and located in the town of Aurora, Kane county, where he learned the trade of a miller, at which he worked for about six years. He then settled on a farm in Kendall county, in that State, where he resided until he came to Iowa. Mr. Downey bought his first land of Edward Dawson, in section nine, in Albion township. He eventually became one of the most prominent farmers in the township. He increased his first purchase of land to 580 acres, which he still owns. His sons now conduct the farm.
.
Mrs. Downey’s maiden name was Catherine Burns. She was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, about 1832, and came to the United States with her brother in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Downey have seven children – James H., Hattie (wife of Charles Yonker), Daniel, Stephen, Kate, Mary and Cora. They have lost two sons – John and Michael J. The latter, their oldest son, was a lawyer by profession and of fine attainments. He was located at Parkersburg for several years, and from there he removed to Dakota, where he died December 18, 1882. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Downey, with his family, now live in Parkersburg.
.
Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page 421