THOMAS
DOWNING, farmer, was born March 4, 1819, in Indiana County,
Penn. He is the son of John Downing, a native of Vermont, and a
soldier of the War of 1812, who served during the war in the United
States service, participating in the battle of Lundy's Lane, near
Niagara Falls. John was married March 20, 1817, to Miss
Nancy Baux, of Centre County, Penn., where he at that time resided. She
was a native of the northern part of Ireland. They had by this marriage
eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Thomas, our
subject; Nancy, wife of J. C. Thompson; Jane, Mrs.
Jane McCord; Susan, widow of Thomas Pearson; Mary, wife
of Frank Osborn; John and George. In 1838 the elder Downing
located in Sharpsville, having contracted to build one mile of the
Beaver & Erie Canal, which passed through what is now the borough
of Sharpsville. In 1853 he removed to Jackson, Iowa, where he and wife
died. Our subject was married February 5, 1840, to Miss
Phebe, daughter of John and Lydia Cary, of Hickory
Township. He located on his present farm, which he purchased from
Mrs. Hull. By this union they have seven living children: James
L., Thomas J., Harkness W., Jerome H., Melinda (wife of U.
Snyder, of Ohio), Mary (wife of G. D. Gilson)
and Anna. In politics our subject is a Republican. He is a member of
the F. & A.M. and the I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Downing and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sharpsville.
History of Mercer County, 1888, page 864
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