John E. Downing

DOWNING, NEWMAN, WILLIAM, SEWELL

Posted By: Diane (email)
Date: 2/24/2002 at 19:43:29

John E. Downing is a native of Ireland, born June 22, 1837. When quite young his father died. In 1849 he came to America with his mother. They landed at Boston, and went to Fall River, where he was employed in the Globe Print Works until 1856, when he went to Michigan, and engaged in the copper mines. He was married there, in 1859, to Catherine Moroney.
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In 1861 they came to Iowa, and lived in Middlefield, Buchanan county, until 1867, when he bought land in the township of Bennezette, Butler county, on section 26. He soon improved the land, and built his present home. He is the present secretary of the Board of Education, which office he has held since 8177. He has ten children – Patrick J., Josie, Mary A., Ellen A., Michael, John, Theresa, Bridget, William Henry, and Cecilia A.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page 489