DOWNING, William F. - 1890 Bio (1861-1922)

DOWNING, KELTNER, WAGNER, SAPP, BUSH, HUPP

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/4/2007 at 13:29:25

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 348-349

William F. DOWNING, who carries on farming on section 16, Buchanan Township, is representative of one of the pioneer families of Jefferson County. His father, Anthony DOWNING, a native of Berkeley County, Va., was born August 12, 1818, and when a young man and poor made his way to the Territory of Iowa, locating in Jefferson County in 1839. He made a claim, which was transformed into the farm upon which our subject now lives, and on which he remained until his death. In his early life he engaged in teaming, but after his removal to the West devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock. His first home in the county was a rude log cabin, but as his financial resources were increased he built a brick house, which was later replaced by the commodious residence now upon the old homestead. When the gold excitement of California was at its height, he made a trip to the Pacific Coast, where he remained, engaged in mining, for five years. His efforts as a farmer and stock-raiser were crowned with success, and although he was in very limited circumstances when he came to the county he became one of her substantial citizens. Mr. DOWNING was twice married. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Rachel KELTNER, he had four children. For his second wife he married Miss Harriet C. WAGNER, who was born in Morgan County, Va., August 19, 1824, and was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (SAPP) WAGNER, also natives of Virginia, where they married and spent their entire lives. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are yet living -- Mrs. S. DOWNING, Mrs. Abram BUSH and Mrs. Anthony DOWNING. The mother died at the age of forty-five years, but the father reached the advanced age of eighty-four years and was a second time married. He was a tanner by trade.

Our subject was one of a family numbering but two children, and his brother, Ulysses W., died at the age of fourteen years; William F., the elder of the two, was born on the farm which is still his home on the 8th of May, 1861. His school privileges were very limited owing to the sickness of his father, which necessitated his remaining at home to care for the farm and since the death of his father, which occurred when he was eighteen years of age, he has had the entire management of affairs. By his neighbors and friends he is regarded as one of the leading young business men of the community, for he displays much ability and thoughtfulness and energy in the discharge of the duties connected with his home life. He now superintends the cultivation of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which is well furnished with good improvements and everything necessary to the model farm of the nineteenth century.

On the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. DOWNING was united in marriage with Miss Clarinda M. HUPP, who was born in Virginia, November 14, 1865. She died after a short but happy wedded life of little more than a year's duration, leaving an infant daughter who bears her name.

In political sentiment Mr. DOWNING is a supporter of Republican principles. As every true American citizen should do, he feels an interest in political affairs and keeps himself well informed concerning the issues of the day. His entire life has been spent upon the DOWNING homestead and the fact that those who have known him since his boyhood days are numbered among his warmest friends, speaks well for him as an upright citizen and man of sterling worth. The family have been residents of the county for more than half a century and the honored father of our subject was one of its representative citizens and is numbered among the respected pioneers. He will be remembered by many of our readers and is well worthy of mention in the history of his adopted county, in whose growth and prosperity he ever felt a just pride.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.