James E. and Ola (Wheeler) Downing, Vernon
JAMES' FAMILY
In 1900 Scandia, Republic County, Kansas, Thomas Downing is farming, born November 1845 in Illinois, married 28 years to Sarah C. Sept 1851 Ohio.
She's had nine kids, eight living. Lucy M.
was born June 1882, Lloyd E. May 1891, both in Kansas.
Thomas is buried in Scandia 1845-1929, # 135382675,
with Sarah Catharine (Brown) Downing 1850-1909, # 137164025.
Their children were
Clara J. Downing Sothers
1871–1949,
James Edwin Downing
1876–1963,
Emily M. Downing Tebow
1878–1961,
Mary Lucy Downing Weislogel
1883–1938, and
Arthur Henry Downing
1886–1958.
In 1900 Republic County, Kansas, James E. Downing is farming, born April 1876 in Iowa, married one year to Ola A. July 1879 Illinois. Warren H. was born October 1899 in Kansas.
In 1910 Yuma County, James E. is 33, Ola A. 30, Warren 10, Iva 3, and brother Lloyd 18.
August 1912 "Ruth Wheeler arrived from Nebraska to visit with her sister,
Mrs. Ed Downing "
ART
December 1911 Wray "Art Downing has purchased the
Musselman meat market and will soon continue the
business.
Art Downing and John Foreman attended the wrestling
match at Laird Monday night."
March 1914 "Art Downing moved last Sunday
to a place he has rented northwest of Yuma."
March 1915 Yuma "T. G. Downing, who had been visiting
at the home of his son, Arthur, north of town for a week
or more, departed Wednesday evening for Scandia,
Kansas, to visit a daughter."
July 1915 Yuma "Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Lohman, of Vernon,
were here Sunday, visiting their children,
Mrs. Art Downing, Ed and Miss Nora Lohman."
January 1931 "Mr. L. E. Downing and children, Thelma, Louise and Thaine drove to Otis Christmas morning and spent the day with Mr. and Mrs. Art Downing and little Iris Arlene."
July 1910 Vernon "Charles Downing's father and sister from Nebraska, are hero on a short ‘ visit. "
November 1911 "Charles Downing, the Vernon barber,
has moved his shop into the John Guinn house."
February 1913 "Mrs. Lou Weslough is visiting her
brothers, Ed, Charles, and Art Downing for two weeks."
March 1913 "Mrs. Charles Downing is going to sell her
household goods at public auction in Vernon on the 29th
of this month. She expects to leave for Denver shortly
afterwards to join her husband, who is working there."
Wray 1915 " Mr. and Mrs. Charles Downing, formerly of
this city but at present located in Denver are visiting
with his brother Ed this week. They will also visit
friends and relatives at Scandia, Kansas before
returning to their home in Denver. We are always glad
to meet Charley for he is one of those genial
fellows who always wears a smile that won't
come off. Come again Charley."
July 1950 "Mrs. Cecelia Downing of California called on Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Weaver Monday morning. The Charles Downing family formerly lived here about thirty-five years ago."
November 1951 " Warren Downing received word of the death of his aunt, Mrs. Charles Downing of California. Mrs. Downing and her late husband and sons lived in Vernon for several years and are well known by some of the older citizens. The family moved to Denver about 35 years ago. One son, William, and her husband, Charles, preceded her in death. She was brought to Denver for burial on Monday. The Warren Downings attended the funeral."
May 1931 "Lloyd Downing was given a very pleasant surprise Sunday, May 17, upon the occasion of his birthday when a group of neighbors and friends went to the Downing home to spend the day. The ladies took with them well filled baskets of good eats and at noon a wonderful basket dinner was served. The following in addition to Mr. Downing and his family enjoyed the day at the Downing home south of Vernon: Mr. and Mrs. J E. Downing and daughter Florence, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Weslogal and daughter Ruth; Mr. and Mrs. Max Ross and daughter Lois ; P. T. Whalen and daughter Cleora; Mrs. McDonald and daughter Betty Lue; Mrs. Ted Yount and daughter Gayle; Mr. and Mrs Ed Thomas and son Donald, Mr. and Mrs. Jet Quiggle and solli; and Mrs. Ross Hadlock; Mr. and Jim Wethcrington; Mrs. Bell Yount, Mr. Coyle Higden."
1948 "Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Downing, prominent residents of the Vernon community for nearly forty years, will observe the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on Tuesday, December 14, with an open house for their friends who are invited to call between three and five o’clock in the afternoon. The Downing home Is a mile east of Vernon. The open house win be preceded by a "wedding” dinner at noon for the family. Besides the couple their children, Warren Downing of Vernon, Mra Ha Yount of Fleming, Darrell Down-
ing of Laramie, Wyoming, and Mrs. Florence Davidson of Otis, and their families will be present Mr. and Mrs. Downing were married December 14, 1896, at Barnard, Kansas. She is the former Arden Wheeler. They moved to Yuma county in 1910 and have made the Vernon community their home since. They built up an excellent farm and have been active in their community and county. They have a host of friends who win congratulate them upon the occasion of their golden wedding aimiversaiy."
Nearly one hundred guests signed the guest book for Mr. and Mrs. J. E.
Downing in honor of their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Tuesday,
December 14, 1948. Mr. and Mrs. Downing received many lovely gifts and cards.
Children and grandchildren were present at the family dinner at noon
among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Downing, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Yount,
Gayle, Joyce and Doren, Mr. and Mrs. Del Davidson, Neil, Lendel, Carolyn and Ardith, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Downing and Beverly. Other guests were Mr. and Mrs. Earl Murphy and Mrs. Altha Blanding, sisters and brother-in-law from Kansas, Mrs. Ethel Davidson and James Weislogel. "
January 1957 "Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Downing and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Downing were called to Scandia, Kan., on Sunday by the death of George Tebow, brother-in-law of J. E. Downing. Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon. "
Funeral services, conducted by the Reverends Willis C. Wisehart and Kent Savage,
were held at the Wray Methodist church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon for James Edwin
Downing followed by burial in Glendale cemetery at Vernon. Mr. Downing's death
followed several months of declining health and death came to him Thursday of last
week at the age of 86 years, nine months and eight days. He was born
in Boone County, Iowa, on April 29, 1876, a son of Thomas and Sara Brown Downing,
the third child of a family of four sons and five daughters.
He moved with his family to Republic County, Kansas in 1881. He was married to
Ola Arden Wheeler December 14, 1897, at Barnard. Kan., and took his bride to the home
he had established near Scandia, Kan, where they farmed until they moved to a farm near
Vernon in March 1910. They were the parents of four children.
Mr. Downing became affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Scandia, Kan., in 1909.
He took an active part in the affairs of the Vernon community,
serving several terms on the local school board and in various capacities with local
organizations. He maintained a keen interest in political activities throughout
his life. He had been retired for the past several years but continued his residence
in his home on the farm near Vernon until he was brought to Wray for treatment
during his final illness. Surviving are his wife, Arden; one sister, Mrs. Olus
Free of Courtland, Kan ; four children, Warren Downing of Vernon,
Ila Yount of Fleming, Darrel Downing of Sheridan, Wyo.,
and Florence Davidson of Otis; his daughters-in-law, Dorothy Allison Downing
and Helen Downing;
sons-in-law, Ted Yount and Dell Davidson; ten grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren"
Ola Arden (Wheeler) Downing is buried in Vernon with James, 1879-1965 # 80178683.
OLLIE'S FAMILY
In 1880 Linn County, Missouri, Pinckney Wheeler is 27, farming, born in Illinois, with Tina E. 22
in Indiana, Eva E. 2 and Ollie A. 1.
Albina Gargus is 60, born in Virginia, a grandmother.
(Eldina Geereings and Alexander C. Garruigus married in 1838 in Parke County, Indiana.
- Alexander born 1816.
Elbina C. Garrigus is in Hancock County, Illinois in 1870, 53, with granddaughtrer Elbina Kebbe, 12.)
Elbina is buried in Nuckolls County, Nebraska 1816-1893 # 63888532.)
Ollie's sister Doris is buried in Vernon 1898-1930 # 80178389. "Doris Leota Wheeler was born October 10, 1898 at Barnard, Kansas,
and passed away February 17, 1930 at Wray, Colorado, at the age of thirty-one years, four months,
and seven days.
She lived with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Wheeler at Barnard, Kansas, where she grew to womanhood.
She graduated from Barnard, Kansas, high school in 1916 and taught school near Barnard the
following winter, coming to Vernon, Colorado, the following spring. On July 11, 1917
she was united in marriage to Lloyd E. Downing at Wray, Colorado. To this union were born four children,
Lloyd Thaine, Mary Louise, Thelma Leota and baby Iris Arlene.
She leaves to mourn her departure, besides her sorrowing husband and four children, her aged father, P. N. Wheeler, Vernon, Colo., one brother, Howard Wheeler of Seattle, Wash., and five sisters, Mrs. Arthur James of Kit Carson, Colo., Mrs. Max Ross of Vernon, Colo., Mrs. Horace Whomble of Colby, Kans, Corrinne and Cleora Wheeler of Vernon .also one half-brother Floyd Wheeler of Denver ,and three half-sisters, Mrs. J. E. Downing of Vernon, Colo., Mrs. R. L. Blanding and Mrs. W. E. Murphy of Barnard, Kans. Also her grandfather H. D. Tebow of Jamestown, Kans., and a host of friends and relatives, who will miss her from their midst. She was preceded in death by her mother and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the Methodist church in Vernon with Rev. Fred Blanding in charge. The remains will be laid to rest in Glendale cemetery."
WARREN
Warren Harold Downing
1899–1987
DARREL
Darrel Edwin Downing
1912–1986
FLORENCE
Florence Eileen Downing Davidson
1916–2004 is buried in Vernon.
"Florence Eileen Davidson, 87, of Sterling, died Monday, May 24, 2004, in Sterling. Visitation is Thursday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Tennant Funeral Home. Funeral services are Friday, May 28, at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Rev. John Roberts officiating. Burial will follow that day at Glendale Cemetery in Vernon at 3 p.m.
Mrs. Davidson was born June 22, 1916, in Vernon to James Edwin "Ed" and Ola Arden (Wheeler) Downing.
She was graduated valedictorian from high school in Vernon. She received a college scholarship, but the Depression prevented her from continuing her education.
She married George Delbert "Dell" Davidson on Jan. 8, 1935, in a church ceremony in St. Francis, Kan.
Mrs. Davidson was a house and farm wife all her married life. She was a member of Campfire Girls as a young woman, and a member of various community clubs.
She was an excellent cook, seamstress, gardener, historian and friend.
She will be supremely missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by son Lendell Wayne Davidson and wife Willene, of Montrose; daughters Carolyn Elaine Mayhugh and husband Larry, and Ardith Eileen Nestor and husband Richard, all of Sterling; nine grandchildren; 23 grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years; first-born son George Neil Davidson, of Seal Beach, Calif., who died in 2000 and was buried in Vernon; her parents; two brothers; and one sister.
"
ILA
"On June 16th, 1929 at 3:30 in the afternoon a pretty wedding took place in the Methodist Church at Fort Morgan when Miss Ila Downing of Vernon became the bride of Ted Yount of Greeley. Rev. Burdick of Vernon officiated with a double ring ceremony. Miss Marjorie Allison of Vernon as maid of honor and Virgil Yount of Vernon as best man attended the bride and groom. Mrs. Everett Shively of Greeley sang “I Love You Truly.” Miss Etha Wright of Greeley played Lohengrin’s Wedding march and continued softly during the ceremony. The church was beautifully decorated with pnik and white roses. The bride wore a dress of delicate pink georgette and carried a bouquet of pink roses. The groom wore a conventional business suit of dark blue. Miss Allison wore a dress of green georgette and a corsage of pink sweet peas and tea roses. Mr. Yount wore a suit of blue serge. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Yount, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Downing, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Shively, Mr. and Mrs. Warren H. Downing, Mr. and Mrs. Max Ross, Lois Ross, Gladys Heaston, Florence Downing and Darrell Downing. Mrs. Yount is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Downing of Vernon. She is a graduate of the Vernon High school and also of the Colorado State Teachers college. She is a member of the Pi Delta Theta Sorority there. She has also taught two successful years of school in Yuma county. Mr. Yount is the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Yount of Vernon. He is a graduate of the Vernon High school and attended the Colorado State Teachers college. He has been a successful teacher in Yuma county for the past three years but now has a position in Greeley. After the ceremony a two course luncheon was served at Marshall’s Cafe. The color scheme being carried out in pink and white. After a short honeymoon in the mountains the couple will make their home in Greeley."
April 1951 "Of interest to friends in this community is the marriage on
Sunday of Miss Gayle Yount, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Yount of Fleming and granddaughter
of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Yount and Mr. ana Mrs. Ed Downing. Her husband is Harold Brecht of
Crook and their wedding occurred at the Community church in Fleming which was decorated
with calla lilies for the candlelight ceremony performed by Rev. Dodson at three o'clock.
The bride wore a white lace wedding gown and her attendants, all in pastel formals, were her cousin,
Miss Beverly Downing, her younger sister, Joyce Yount, and two friends, Evelyn Smith and Marian Wheeler.
A brother, Doran Yount, and a cousin, Neil Davidson, were candlelighters and little Patricia Smith
was flower girl. Ushers were friends of the groom. Attending from this community were Mr. and Mrs.
Yount, Mr. and Mrs. Downing, the grandparents of the bride; Mr. and Mrs. Warren Downing, Mr.
and Mrs. Virgil Yount and Louise, Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey Hardwick and Ann. The couple will live
at Crook where the groom is associated with his father in farming."
Ila Ruth Downing Yount
1906–1998 is buried in Vernon # 11866362.
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