Josiah Franklin DOWNING

DOWNING, LIVERMORE, HANDKE, BONNES, LILLIE, HARDMAN, WILCOX, PULLIS, HEINSE, DOWNING, JOHNSON, BUTCHER, BRADSHAW, ROBINSON, DUNCAN, WOOD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/28/2009 at 09:51:17

March 10, 1860 -- April 10, 1940

Source Unknown
ca. April 1940

J. F. Downing, Pioneer, Dies at Age 80

Josiah Franklin Downing was born March 10, 1860, near Woolstock, Hamilton County, Ia., and passed away at his home in Oto, Ia., Wednesday, April 10, 1940, at the age of 80 years and 1 month. He came to Woodbury county about 59 years ago. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Downing, he was the last of a family of eight children.

Mr. Downing was married Aug. 12, 1889, to Elizabeth S. Livermore of Oto. Seven sons and six daughters were born to this union, and three sons preceded him in death. Those surviving him are his wife and 10 children; namely, Phirman of Anthon, Ia.; Ai, Howard, Gilbert, Edna Handke, Edith Bonnes and May Lillie of Oto, and Dora Hardman, Elva Pullis and Ida Wilcox of Sioux City. Many grandchildren and great-grandchildren also mourn his demise.

Funeral services were held Friday, April 12, in the Oto Federated church, the Rev. Garner Osborn officiating. Burial was in the Oto cemetery, with Hudgel's funeral service of Anthon in charge of arrangements. Dale Timmerman, Mrs. Glen Sawin and Mr. and Mrs. John Willmott sang "Shall We Gather at the River", "The Beautiful Home of the Soul", and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", with Catherine Sawin as pianist. Pallbearers were Howard and Keith Downing of Anthon and Portus and Donald Handke, Hollis Lillie and Franklin Bonnes of Oto, all grandsons of the deceased. All the children were present except one daughter, Dora Hardman, who was unable to attend on account of sickness. Some of the out-of-town relatives attending the funeral were ...Mrs. Parley Livermore....., Charles, of Canby, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Heinse and Will Downing of Clarion, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Johnson and daughter, Dorothy, and Jim Downing of Mapleton; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Downing, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Livermore, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Butcher, Mrs. Nancy Butcher and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Livermore of Moville. Mr. and Mrs. Harland Livermore, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, Vivia Duncan and Mrs. Delma Robinson of Sioux City; Mrs. Harvey Wood of St. Paul, Minn., a host of nearby relatives and friends.