Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



H. R. Downing

H. R. Downing was born in Pennsylvania in 1831, the youngest of seven children of Daniel L. and Sarah (Iden) Downing, his father a native of Queen's County, L. I., of Scotch descent, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His parents came to Richmond in July, 1837, where his mother died in February, 1849, and his father in May, 1860. Their children were — Margaret, Ellen, Jane, Anna, Sarah, Susannah and H. R., the latter being the only one now living. His father was, politically, a Whig till 1856, and then affiliated with the Republican party. He was a school-mate of Martin Van Buren, but was always opposed to him. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Our subject was reared and educated in Richmond. He has been in the undertaking business since 1876, and is now doing a business second to none in the city. He is a member of Whitewater Lodge No. 24 I. O. O. F., and has been one of its Trustees eight years. He has been Treasurer of Oriental Encampment nine years, and a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana since 1873.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2