Family Group Sheet
NameJames Franklin Downing, GGG Uncle
Birth21 Oct 1824, Montgomery Co., Kentucky
Death27 Aug 1891, Lafayette Co., Missouri
FatherDennis Downing (1801-1837)
MotherMary McCormick (1802->1880)
Other spousesCynthia Ann McCormick, 1C4R
Marriage1852, Bath Co., Kentucky
SpouseSusan A. Snedegar
Birth28 Mar 1829, Bath Co., Kentucky
Death3 Dec 1896, Lafayette Co., Missouri
BurialOdessa City Cem., Lafayette Co., Missouri
FatherChristopher Snedegar (~1805-1878)
MotherKeziah Conyers (1794-)
Children
1 FJosephine B. Downing, 1C3R
Birth27 Dec 1852, Bath Co., Kentucky
Death17 Jan 1919, Odessa, Lafayette Co., Missouri
SpouseJohn Wesley Prince
2 FStatira C. Downing, 1C3R
Birth26 Mar 1857, Grundy Co., Missouri
Death1931, Sebring, Highlands Co., Florida
SpouseLucius Lewright
3 MGeorge W. Downing, 1C3R
Birth20 Sep 1860, Grundy Co., Missouri
Death19 May 1943, St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri
SpouseMary E. Hill
4 MRichard B. Downing, 1C3R
Birth21 Feb 1863, Grundy Co., Missouri
5 MJohn Pierce Downing, 1C3R
Birth7 Aug 1865, Grundy Co., Missouri
Notes for James Franklin Downing
James F. Downing was a Judge of the County Court in Grundy Co., Missouri, from 1859-1864.
A sketch in The United States Biographical Dictionary, 1878, reported:
“JUDGE JAMES FRANKLIN DOWNING - AULLVILLE.
Among those who early came to Missouri, and stood by her in her days of adversity and now enjoy her prosperity, is the man whose name heads this sketch. James Franklin Downing was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 21, 1824. His father, Dennis Downing, was a native of the same state and county, and was born in 1801. His grandfather, James Downing, was born in Virginia in 1765, and his great-grandfather, James Downing, was born in New York about 1740, and was of Welsh descent; he moved to Virginia and from there to Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians.
Dennis Downing was raised on a farm in Kentucky, and received a common school education. In 1821 he married Miss Mary McCormick, wo was born in 1802, and was the daughter of William McCormick, a native of Virginia, but of Irish descent.
The subject of this sketch when quite small, moved with his parents to Indiana and remained there until 1837, when his father died, and he removed with his mother to his native state, stopping in Lewis county for a year, after which they went to Montgomery county. There he remained for three years, when he removed to Bath county. His education was received at the common schools.
In 1854 he emigrated to Grundy county, Missouri. In 1865 he removed to Johnson county, of the same state, and in 1868 located in LaFayette county, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has been what his father was through life, a farmer.
In 1846 he married Miss Cinthian McCormick, who was born October 10, 1824, and was the daughter of Samuel McCormick, a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born in 1800. Her mother was a McClellan and of Welsh descent. Mrs. Downing died in Bath county, in 1849, leaving three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving son, William W., was born November 26, 1846, in Bath county, Kentucky.
In February 1852, Mr. James F. Downing married Miss Susan Snedgar, who was born March 28, 1828, and was the daughter of Christopher Snedgar, of Bath county, Kentucky, who was born in 1803. Her mother was a Conyer, of Virginian birth and Irish descent.
By this marriage they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, whose names and births are recorded as follows: Josephine, born December 29, 1852, in Bath county, Kentucky, now the wife of John W. Prince; Statira, born March 26, 1857; George W., born September 20, 1859; Richard B., born February 21, 1863; John P., born August 7, 1865 – all four being born in Grundy county, Missouri; Arthur, born February 10, 1868, in Johnson county, and Barton, born May 7, 1870, in Fayette county, Missouri. Surrounded by this large and happy family, Mr. Downing and wife may truly be contented. They, with their daughters, are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Downing was judge of the county court of Grundy county from 1859 to 1864. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Gamble government of Missouri, captain of the enrolled militia of the state.
Judge Downing belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has served for some time as treasurer of his lodge. In politics he is a consistent Democrat. Such are the outlines of a useful life. Whatever his hand found to do, he did well, and he now enjoys the fruits of his labors.”
A sketch in The United States Biographical Dictionary, 1878, reported:
“JUDGE JAMES FRANKLIN DOWNING - AULLVILLE.
Among those who early came to Missouri, and stood by her in her days of adversity and now enjoy her prosperity, is the man whose name heads this sketch. James Franklin Downing was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 21, 1824. His father, Dennis Downing, was a native of the same state and county, and was born in 1801. His grandfather, James Downing, was born in Virginia in 1765, and his great-grandfather, James Downing, was born in New York about 1740, and was of Welsh descent; he moved to Virginia and from there to Kentucky, and was killed by the Indians.
Dennis Downing was raised on a farm in Kentucky, and received a common school education. In 1821 he married Miss Mary McCormick, wo was born in 1802, and was the daughter of William McCormick, a native of Virginia, but of Irish descent.
The subject of this sketch when quite small, moved with his parents to Indiana and remained there until 1837, when his father died, and he removed with his mother to his native state, stopping in Lewis county for a year, after which they went to Montgomery county. There he remained for three years, when he removed to Bath county. His education was received at the common schools.
In 1854 he emigrated to Grundy county, Missouri. In 1865 he removed to Johnson county, of the same state, and in 1868 located in LaFayette county, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has been what his father was through life, a farmer.
In 1846 he married Miss Cinthian McCormick, who was born October 10, 1824, and was the daughter of Samuel McCormick, a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, born in 1800. Her mother was a McClellan and of Welsh descent. Mrs. Downing died in Bath county, in 1849, leaving three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving son, William W., was born November 26, 1846, in Bath county, Kentucky.
In February 1852, Mr. James F. Downing married Miss Susan Snedgar, who was born March 28, 1828, and was the daughter of Christopher Snedgar, of Bath county, Kentucky, who was born in 1803. Her mother was a Conyer, of Virginian birth and Irish descent.
By this marriage they have had eight children, seven of whom are living, whose names and births are recorded as follows: Josephine, born December 29, 1852, in Bath county, Kentucky, now the wife of John W. Prince; Statira, born March 26, 1857; George W., born September 20, 1859; Richard B., born February 21, 1863; John P., born August 7, 1865 – all four being born in Grundy county, Missouri; Arthur, born February 10, 1868, in Johnson county, and Barton, born May 7, 1870, in Fayette county, Missouri. Surrounded by this large and happy family, Mr. Downing and wife may truly be contented. They, with their daughters, are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Downing was judge of the county court of Grundy county from 1859 to 1864. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Gamble government of Missouri, captain of the enrolled militia of the state.
Judge Downing belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has served for some time as treasurer of his lodge. In politics he is a consistent Democrat. Such are the outlines of a useful life. Whatever his hand found to do, he did well, and he now enjoys the fruits of his labors.”
Census Notes for James Franklin & Susan A. (Family)
1860 census of Trenton township, Grundy Co., Missouri, enumerated 11 June, lists on p. 48 as family #417/364:
James F. Downing, 36, farmer; Susan, 33; Wm M., 14; Josephene, 8; B.F. 6; Statia, 2. The youngest two children born in Missouri, all others in Ky.
The next household is that of James’ brother William.
1870 census of Lafayette Co., Missouri, Davis township, enumerated 22 July, lists on pp. 29-30 as family #182/186:
Downing, James F., 45, farmer; Susan A., 43; Josephine B., 18, Ky; Statira, 12; George W., 9; Richard, 7; John P., 5; Arthur, 3; Emory, 3/12; Berry, Henry, 65, farm laborer, b. Va. Statira through Emory born in Missouri.
The preceding household is that of James’ son William W. Downing, by his first wife Cynthia McCormick, with his wife Ann America.
1880 census of Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, enumerated 19 June, lists on p. 22 as family #258, on Main St:
Downing, James, 55, husband, tavern keeper, b. Ky Ky Ky; Susan A., wife, 53, b. Ky Ky Ky; Statira, dau, 22; George W., son, 19; Richard, son, 17; J. Pierce, son, 15; Arthur M., son, 12; Emery B., son, 10. All children born Mo Ky Ky. Plus nine unrelated boarders (the tavern must also be an inn.)
James F. Downing, 36, farmer; Susan, 33; Wm M., 14; Josephene, 8; B.F. 6; Statia, 2. The youngest two children born in Missouri, all others in Ky.
The next household is that of James’ brother William.
1870 census of Lafayette Co., Missouri, Davis township, enumerated 22 July, lists on pp. 29-30 as family #182/186:
Downing, James F., 45, farmer; Susan A., 43; Josephine B., 18, Ky; Statira, 12; George W., 9; Richard, 7; John P., 5; Arthur, 3; Emory, 3/12; Berry, Henry, 65, farm laborer, b. Va. Statira through Emory born in Missouri.
The preceding household is that of James’ son William W. Downing, by his first wife Cynthia McCormick, with his wife Ann America.
1880 census of Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, enumerated 19 June, lists on p. 22 as family #258, on Main St:
Downing, James, 55, husband, tavern keeper, b. Ky Ky Ky; Susan A., wife, 53, b. Ky Ky Ky; Statira, dau, 22; George W., son, 19; Richard, son, 17; J. Pierce, son, 15; Arthur M., son, 12; Emery B., son, 10. All children born Mo Ky Ky. Plus nine unrelated boarders (the tavern must also be an inn.)
