DOWNS, Aaron B.: 1820-1898

DOWNS, MARTIN, PLUGH, RENFRO, MITCHEL, MILLS, STONEBRAKER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/22/2013 at 04:23:43

**Handwritten: Keo. Rep. 14 July 1898

At his home in Cantril, at 1:30 a.m. June 27, 1898, Aaron B. Downs.

Bro. Downs was born July 21, 1820, in Culpeper Co, Va. He was one of a large family of children, early left to a mother's supervision and their own efforts. In later boyhood the family moved to Edgar Co., Ill. In 1841 with some neighbors he moved to Jefferson Co., Iowa, where he improved a farm some miles northwest of Fairfield, now one of the best farms in that county.

In 1856 he moved to Van Buren county where he has since lived. He has therefore been known to this people for forty-two years. Aug. 14, 1845, he lead to the hymenial altar, Mrs. Tabitha Martin, a daughter of Elder Plugh and a sister of Mrs. T.A. Renfro. To this union were given six children, three sons and three daughters. One son died in boyhood, one in early manhood, the other resides in Cal. Of the daughters Mrs. Jennie Mills lives in Oklahoma, Mrs. Cynthia Mitchel Mrs. Ella Stonebraker, live in Cantril.

For thirteen years Bro. Downs traveled life's pathway companionless, his wife having died in 1885. Soon after his marriage he became a Christian, uniting with the Christian church, of which he was a faithful member until he laid down his armor to take up his crown. In the distribution of his property he did not forget his Savior but deeded a nice cottage property to the Cantril congregation of which he was a charter member. Thus he left an example worthy of imitation by all.

At the time of his death he lacked but twenty-four days of being seventy-eight years old. The funeral wa conducted by the writer from the Christian church in Cantril, in then presence of a large audience. Text for the occasion, Ps 71: 20. He now sleeps to await the summons from on nigh. Farewell, brother.

PERRY D. HOLLOWAY.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 193, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA