Family Group Sheet
NameCharles Lee Downing, 2C2R
Birth17 Feb 1884, Johnson Co., Missouri
Death13 Nov 1946, Kern Co., California
FatherJames Franklin Downing (1847-1922)
MotherMartha E. Stewart (1842-)
Other spousesEthel G. Wallace
Marriageabt 1913, California
SpouseVerley Brack Smith
Birth2 Jun 1887, Beaumont, Jefferson Co., Texas
Death15 Feb 1976, Kern Co., California
Other spousesJ. Oscar Smith
Children
1 MJoseph Otis Downing (Stepchild of father (child of mother)), 3C1R
Birth31 Jul 1905, Calexico, Imperial Co., California
Death21 May 1992, San Diego Co., California
SpouseMary Gibson
SpouseHelen Rieder
2 MMelvin Lawrence Downing (Stepchild of father (child of mother)), 3C1R
Birth24 Jul 1908, San Diego Co., California
Death20 Oct 1983, Bakersfield, Kern Co., California
SpouseHelen Lampa
3 FLucille M. Downing (Stepchild of father (child of mother)), 3C1R
Birth25 Apr 1911, San Diego Co., California
Death27 Mar 1997, Englewood, Sarasota Co., Florida
Notes for Charles Lee Downing
Johnson Co., Missouri birth register (online at Ancestry.com) records an unnamed male Downing, seventh child of the mother, born 17 Feb 1884 in Post Oak township, father age 37, born Ky, mother age 42, born Missouri, mother Martha Stewart, residence Harrison Co, father Jas F. Downing, farmer.
His WW I draft registration card, filed 12 Sep 1918 in El Centro, Imperial Co., California, records Charles Lee Downing, age 34, born 17 Feb 1884, residence Calexico, Imperial Co., Calif, occupation implement dealer, nearest relative Mrs. Verley Brack Downing, Box 88, Calexico, Calif.
The California death index lists Charles Lee Downing, born 17 Feb 1884 in Missouri, died 13 Nov 1946 in Kern Co., California, father’s surname Downing, mother’s maiden name Stewart.
His WW I draft registration card, filed 12 Sep 1918 in El Centro, Imperial Co., California, records Charles Lee Downing, age 34, born 17 Feb 1884, residence Calexico, Imperial Co., Calif, occupation implement dealer, nearest relative Mrs. Verley Brack Downing, Box 88, Calexico, Calif.
The California death index lists Charles Lee Downing, born 17 Feb 1884 in Missouri, died 13 Nov 1946 in Kern Co., California, father’s surname Downing, mother’s maiden name Stewart.
Notes for Verley Brack Smith
The California death index lists Verley B. Downing, born 2 June 1887 in Texas, died 15 Feb 1976 in Kern Co., California.
It is possible that her maiden name is not Smith. It is so recorded on the birth and death records of her children, but in the 1910 census she appears with a husband J. Oscar Smith. So it is possible that when the birth records of her children were changed upon their adoption to record Charles Downing as the father, that Verley was recorded as their mother under her previous married name of Smith. On the other hand, maybe it really was a “Smith and Smith” marriage.
It is possible that her maiden name is not Smith. It is so recorded on the birth and death records of her children, but in the 1910 census she appears with a husband J. Oscar Smith. So it is possible that when the birth records of her children were changed upon their adoption to record Charles Downing as the father, that Verley was recorded as their mother under her previous married name of Smith. On the other hand, maybe it really was a “Smith and Smith” marriage.
Notes for Charles Lee & Verley Brack (Family)
Charles and Verley were apparently married sometime between 1911 and 1917.
I believe that all the children in this family are really Verley’s by a previous husband, and were adopted by Charles. Lucille was listed in the 1930 census as an adopted daughter, and Otis and Melvin were both born in California, while Charles was still living in Oklahoma, married to Ethel Wallace. The California birth index lists the surnames of Melvin and Lucille as Downing, though. This is most likely due to the birth records being retroactively changed when the adoption was formalized, as was standard procedure during that time period.
The passenger list of the S.S. Columbia, departure from La Libertad, El Salvador on 20 Dec 1924, arriving at the Port of Los Angeles on 29 Dec 1924, includes the following family group:
Downing, Charles L., age 40, born 17 Feb 1884 in Chilhousee, Mo.,
Downing, Vesley, age 37, born 2 Jan 1887 in Beaumont, Texas;
Melvin Downing, age 16, born 24 July 1908 in San Diego, California;
Lucille Downing, age 11, born 25 April 1913 in San Diego, California;
Address in United States: Calpico, Ca.
I believe that all the children in this family are really Verley’s by a previous husband, and were adopted by Charles. Lucille was listed in the 1930 census as an adopted daughter, and Otis and Melvin were both born in California, while Charles was still living in Oklahoma, married to Ethel Wallace. The California birth index lists the surnames of Melvin and Lucille as Downing, though. This is most likely due to the birth records being retroactively changed when the adoption was formalized, as was standard procedure during that time period.
The passenger list of the S.S. Columbia, departure from La Libertad, El Salvador on 20 Dec 1924, arriving at the Port of Los Angeles on 29 Dec 1924, includes the following family group:
Downing, Charles L., age 40, born 17 Feb 1884 in Chilhousee, Mo.,
Downing, Vesley, age 37, born 2 Jan 1887 in Beaumont, Texas;
Melvin Downing, age 16, born 24 July 1908 in San Diego, California;
Lucille Downing, age 11, born 25 April 1913 in San Diego, California;
Address in United States: Calpico, Ca.
Census
1920 census of Imperial Co., California, Calexico township, enumerated 24 Jan, lists on p. 23A as family #53/57, at 413 Washington St:
Downing, Charles, 35, b. Mo Mo Mo, manager implement retail; Verley, wife, 32, b. Texas Texas Texas; Otis, son, 14; Melvin, son, 11; Lucille, dau, 8. All children listed as born California Missouri Texas.
1930 census of Kern Co., California, enumerated 9 April, lists as family #148/169 at 2216 20th St., Bakersfield:
Downing, Charles L., 46, age at first marriage 22, b. Mo Mo Mo, sales manager for automobiles & trucks; Verley B., wife, 42, age at first marriage 15, b. Tex Tex Tex; Lucille M., adopted daughter, 18, b. Calif Mo Tex.
Downing, Charles, 35, b. Mo Mo Mo, manager implement retail; Verley, wife, 32, b. Texas Texas Texas; Otis, son, 14; Melvin, son, 11; Lucille, dau, 8. All children listed as born California Missouri Texas.
1930 census of Kern Co., California, enumerated 9 April, lists as family #148/169 at 2216 20th St., Bakersfield:
Downing, Charles L., 46, age at first marriage 22, b. Mo Mo Mo, sales manager for automobiles & trucks; Verley B., wife, 42, age at first marriage 15, b. Tex Tex Tex; Lucille M., adopted daughter, 18, b. Calif Mo Tex.
