Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 180
CAPT. J. B. DOWNER, a leading stock-raiser of Muscatine County, residing on section 17, Sweetland Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 6, 1840, and is a son of John A. and Elizabeth R. Downer. In 1845, when a lad of five years, he removed with his parents to Des Moines County, Iowa, and was there reared to manhood upon a farm, receiving his education in its common schools. He began the battle of life for himself as a teacher, which profession he followed for several years with good success, after which he engaged in the mercantile business for about two years. In August, 1863, he responded to his country's call for troops to put down the Rebellion, enlisting in the 8th Iowa Cavalry, and took an active part in all the conflicts in which his regiment participated during his service. He was taken prisoner in 1864, and confined for two months in the Andersonville Prison. When he regained his liberty he again joined his regiment, with which he continued until the close of hostilities. In the last year of his service Mr. Downer was commissioned Captain, and was detailed on court martial, passing sentence upon some very important cases, among which was the trial of the distinguished French General, Prince Salm, at Atlanta, Ga.

Returning to his home after the war, Capt. Downer wedded Margaret A. Davis, a daughter of Thomas and Ann Davis, the ceremony being performed in Des Moines County on the 8th of February, 1866. By this union six children have been born, four of whom are yet living: Anna A., born Dec. 14, 1866; John T., Sept. 7, 1869; Louis E., Sept. 10, 1871; Nellie V., Sept.11, 1882, all yet at home. His wife was born in Greenfield County, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1847, and removed with her parents, in 1851, to Des Moines County, where her education was received.

The young couple began their domestic life in Des Moines County, and there resided until 1874, when they became residents of Muscatine, Iowa. After making that their home for a year they removed to the farm upon which they yet reside. It is situated on section 17, Sweetland Township, comprises 172 acres of fine land and is known as the Angus Stock Farm. The latest improvements have been made upon it, a nice residence has been erected, extensive barns have been built for the care of the stock, and everything about the place denotes its owner to be a systematic and enterprising manager. Capt. Downer is the only breeder of the Angus cattle in this part of the country, and probably no man has done more than he toward introducing a better breed of cattle in the county. Although his business interests are very great, he yet has time to aid in the promotion of all worthy enterprises. He has been largely instrumental in the prosecution of the offenders of the prohibition law, of which he is an earnest supporter. He has ever been an advocate of temperance principles, sparing neither time nor means to aid in the good work. In his political sentiments he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and for many years he and his wife have been members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Muscatine, and are earnest workers in their Master's vineyard.

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