A native of the old Keystone State was born in Venango County, on the 4th of February, 1830, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burns) Downing. He passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native State, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools, and supplemented this by a thorough course of study in the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and in the high school at West Ely. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, becoming a member of Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry. After thus showing his patriotic ardor and zeal in this war, Mr. Downing returned to his home in Iowa, and became concerned in general farming in Davis County. In 1849, he married Miss Telitha Stark, youngest daughter of Abner and Persis (Boone) Stark. In 1893, Mr. Downing and his wife removed from his farm to Bloomfield. In political matters Mr. Downing has taken an active interest and has been conspicuous in public affairs in Davis County. In 1879 and 1881 he represented the county in the State Legislature, having been the candidate of the Greenback party, of which he was a stalwart supporter from the time of its organization until its final disintegration. In this official position he proved a wise and able legislator and his fidelity to the trust imposed gained him the endorsement of the people regardless of party lines. Further recognition of his ability and sterling worth of character was that accorded in 1890, when the Greenback party of the State made him its candidate for Governor, and though his party was much in the minority he made a strong candidate and secured a distinctive endorsement at the polls, though failing of election, as he had anticipated. Mr. Downing is still prominent in political affairs and gives his support to the Populist Party. He has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, and his labors have been blessed and prolific of much good. In his fraternal relations Mr. Downing has been for many years identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

A native of the old Keystone State was born in Venango County, on the 4th of February, 1830, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burns) Downing. He passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native State, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools, and supplemented this by a thorough course of study in the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and in the high school at West Ely. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, becoming a member of Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry. After thus showing his patriotic ardor and zeal in this war, Mr. Downing returned to his home in Iowa, and became concerned in general farming in Davis County. In 1849, he married Miss Telitha Stark, youngest daughter of Abner and Persis (Boone) Stark. In 1893, Mr. Downing and his wife removed from his farm to Bloomfield. In political matters Mr. Downing has taken an active interest and has been conspicuous in public affairs in Davis County. In 1879 and 1881 he represented the county in the State Legislature, having been the candidate of the Greenback party, of which he was a stalwart supporter from the time of its organization until its final disintegration. In this official position he proved a wise and able legislator and his fidelity to the trust imposed gained him the endorsement of the people regardless of party lines. Further recognition of his ability and sterling worth of character was that accorded in 1890, when the Greenback party of the State made him its candidate for Governor, and though his party was much in the minority he made a strong candidate and secured a distinctive endorsement at the polls, though failing of election, as he had anticipated. Mr. Downing is still prominent in political affairs and gives his support to the Populist Party. He has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, and his labors have been blessed and prolific of much good. In his fraternal relations Mr. Downing has been for many years identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

A native of the old Keystone State was born in Venango County, on the 4th of February, 1830, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burns) Downing. He passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native State, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools, and supplemented this by a thorough course of study in the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and in the high school at West Ely. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, becoming a member of Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry. After thus showing his patriotic ardor and zeal in this war, Mr. Downing returned to his home in Iowa, and became concerned in general farming in Davis County. In 1849, he married Miss Telitha Stark, youngest daughter of Abner and Persis (Boone) Stark. In 1893, Mr. Downing and his wife removed from his farm to Bloomfield. In political matters Mr. Downing has taken an active interest and has been conspicuous in public affairs in Davis County. In 1879 and 1881 he represented the county in the State Legislature, having been the candidate of the Greenback party, of which he was a stalwart supporter from the time of its organization until its final disintegration. In this official position he proved a wise and able legislator and his fidelity to the trust imposed gained him the endorsement of the people regardless of party lines. Further recognition of his ability and sterling worth of character was that accorded in 1890, when the Greenback party of the State made him its candidate for Governor, and though his party was much in the minority he made a strong candidate and secured a distinctive endorsement at the polls, though failing of election, as he had anticipated. Mr. Downing is still prominent in political affairs and gives his support to the Populist Party. He has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, and his labors have been blessed and prolific of much good. In his fraternal relations Mr. Downing has been for many years identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

A native of the old Keystone State was born in Venango County, on the 4th of February, 1830, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burns) Downing. He passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native State, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the district schools, and supplemented this by a thorough course of study in the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and in the high school at West Ely. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, becoming a member of Company E, Third Missouri Cavalry. After thus showing his patriotic ardor and zeal in this war, Mr. Downing returned to his home in Iowa, and became concerned in general farming in Davis County. In 1849, he married Miss Telitha Stark, youngest daughter of Abner and Persis (Boone) Stark. In 1893, Mr. Downing and his wife removed from his farm to Bloomfield. In political matters Mr. Downing has taken an active interest and has been conspicuous in public affairs in Davis County. In 1879 and 1881 he represented the county in the State Legislature, having been the candidate of the Greenback party, of which he was a stalwart supporter from the time of its organization until its final disintegration. In this official position he proved a wise and able legislator and his fidelity to the trust imposed gained him the endorsement of the people regardless of party lines. Further recognition of his ability and sterling worth of character was that accorded in 1890, when the Greenback party of the State made him its candidate for Governor, and though his party was much in the minority he made a strong candidate and secured a distinctive endorsement at the polls, though failing of election, as he had anticipated. Mr. Downing is still prominent in political affairs and gives his support to the Populist Party. He has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, and his labors have been blessed and prolific of much good. In his fraternal relations Mr. Downing has been for many years identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.