Downing, Lorraine (born 1843)

DOWNING, BUTTERWORTH, PEARSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/7/2008 at 15:43:01

Jackson Sentinel
Centennial Edition, 1938

Aunt Lorraine Downing Was Daughter of Butterworth, Pioneer

The daughter of one of Jackson county’s earliest pioneers, “Aunt Lorraine” Downing of Andrew finds pleasure and pride in the fact that she is three years older than the state of Iowa. Born in Perry Township on June 4, 1843, she is 95 years old.

Her father was Nathaniel Butterworth, who came to Iowa in 1837 and obtained land just north of the present town of Andrew. Returning to New York state he brought his wife and little family to the new country, where he built a large double log house and kept an inn.

Among her memories of early days are the semi-occasional trips to Dubuque, the nearest place for obtaining supplies for the tavern. The trip which was made with a team of oxen, consumed a week’s time. Other memories include the Indians who came often to the Butterworth home to get water from the well and to beg food. “Man of Many Moons” they called her father, because of his white hair.

For a time “Aunt Lorraine” taught school north of Andrew, near the County Home, before her marriage to George Downing in 1865. She also was a Sunday school teacher for many years Mr. Downing built up a thriving business of erecting lightning rods on buildings, a trade which he followed for 35 years. He died August 27, 1915.

John D. Pearson, now 83 years old, came to live with the Downings when he was 11, but he soon heard and answered the call of the river. Leaving farm life in 1872, when he was 17, he became a river pilot and for 40 years his boats plied up and down the Mississippi. Now, however, he has come back to stay with Mrs. Downing. He takes great pride in his fine garden and does much of the housework.

Mrs. Downing has a remarkable memory, and likes to talk about the early days when this country was wild and unknown. She and Mr. Pearson live on South Main street in Andrew where they are often visited by their friends.