Downie, John W. 1878 - 1954

DOWNIE, WILLIAMS, HULVERSON, LARSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/30/2025 at 00:31:55

Clayton County Register, 06 May 1954.

The funeral of John W. Downie, 76, lifelong Elkader resident, was held Monday afternoon, May 03, at 2 o'clock. Services were conducted from the Congregational Christian church of Elkader with the Rev. David G. Howell, pastor, officiating. Interment was made in the East Side cemetery. Arrangements were conducted by the Witt funeral home.

Mr. Downie had been ill but a short time. Death came to him early Friday, April 30, at Finley hospital in Dubuque, where he had been taken from his Elkader home following a heart attack.

John W. Downie was born in Boardman township, on the family farm at the northeast edge of Elkader, on February 05, 1878, the son of John W. and Ruth Williams Downie. He attended the rural schools of Boardman township and then studied at the LaCrosse Business college, from which he graduated in 1906.

His birthplace remained his home until 1917 when he quit the active operation of his farm to become steward of the Clayton county asylum in which he served until 1922.

In 1924 he became owner of a creamery in Elkader which he operated until 1948. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Downie was active in the insurance field and for nearly 25 years served as a member of the board of the Garnavillo Farmers Mutual Insurance company. He was an interested and observing worker in the public affairs of his community during all of his adult days. He was also active in the life of the Elkader Congregational Christian church for many years and was serving on its board of trustees at the time of his death.

On March 07, 1907, he was united in marriage to Leona Hulverson. Besides his wife he is survived by his only daughter, Mrs. Alvin (Marjorie) Larson, St. Olaf.

His death closes the chapter on the last male member of this Downie family that had its beginning in this community 113 years ago. Mr. Downie's father, a Canadian surveyor of Scottish parentage, came to Clayton county in 1841. The father's services were much in demand in the early surveys of this area. Downie Sr. married Ruth Williams of New York, and the couple took possession of the farm that still exists today under the Downie title. The father died in 1884 and the mother in 1903.

Mr. Downie was a member of the Elkader Masonic lodge and of the Clinton consistory.

Pallbearers were: Clyde Smith, Robert Potter, Gus Graff, Everett Haggensick, Merrill Smith and Russell Huggins.

Honorary pallbearers were: E. W. Tuecke, E.C, Kaiser, E. F. Kaiser, Louis Schroeder, Gus Lenth, R. H. Waskow, Ralph Behrens, Edward Zittergruen and A. C. Pufahl.

Relatives and Friends attending were: Lawrence Hulverson, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Biedermann and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Biedermann, Volga City; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Chapell, Mrs. Pauline Williamson, Strawberry Point; Mrs. Helen Stoops, Oelwein; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Follet and Mrs. Martin Nelson, Clermont; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hinsch, McGregor; Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Muschewske, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nylegger, Elgin; Mrs. Amanda McSperrin, Dubuque; G. W. Hunt and Walter Jacobs, Guttenberg; Mrs. Franc Hintz, Mrs. Edna Greener, Frances and Mickey Matthews, Manchester; Fred Laberg, Mr. Beal, Clinton; and Art Millius, Dubuque.