Stephen Wheeler Downey

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Stephen Wheeler Downey
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
In office 1893 1895
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming Territory's at-large district
In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881 (Delegate)
Preceded by	William Wellington Corlett
Succeeded by	Morton Everel Post
Wyoming Territory Auditor
In office 1877–1879
Wyoming Territory Treasurer
In office 1872–1875
Personal details
Born	(1839-07-25)July 25, 1839 Westernport, Maryland
Died	August 3, 1902(1902-08-03) (aged 63) Albany County, Wyoming
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Evangeline Victoria Owen (1853–1937)
Children	10 (including Sheridan Downey and Dr. June Etta Downey
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861-1863
Rank	Colonel
Unit	3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade
Battles/wars	Civil War Battle of Harpers Ferry

Stephen Wheeler Downey (July 25, 1839 – August 3, 1902) was a lawyer and politician in Wyoming. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, he was an early white settler of Wyoming, and served as its treasurer, auditor, and delegate to Congress. After statehood, Downey continued to serve in local and state office, including Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives.

Downey was a founder of the University of Wyoming, and the longtime president of its board of trustees.

Early life[]

Downey was born in Westernport, Maryland on July 25, 1839. He was educated locally in preparation for a career as a lawyer, and then began to study law.

Civil War service[]

In 1861, Downey interrupted his studies and enlisted as a private in the 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. He later received a commission and advanced through the ranks to lieutenant colonel as second in command of the regiment. He was discharged after the Battle of Harpers Ferry due to wounds he sustained in the fighting, and was promoted to colonel at his discharge.

After leaving the Army, Downey completed his law studies; he was admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C. in 1863.

Move to Wyoming[]

In 1869, he moved to the Territory of Wyoming and established a law practice in Laramie. He served as the prosecuting attorney of Albany County, Wyoming in 1869 and 1870. He also opened a survey office in Laramie and was assigned to six government survey contracts between 1870 and 1873. He was elected as a member of the Wyoming Territorial Council in 1871, 1875, and 1877, as treasurer of the territory from 1872 to 1875, and as auditor of the territory from 1877 to 1879.

Congressional delegate[]

He was elected as a Republican delegate to the United States Congress from Wyoming Territory and served from 1879 to 1881.^[1]

Later career[]

He was elected as a member of the territorial house of representatives in 1886 and 1890, was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1889, and was a member of the state house of representatives in 1893 and 1895, serving as Speaker of the House in 1895.

In 1886, Downey sponsored the bill that created the University of Wyoming and became known as "The Father of the University of Wyoming". From 1891 to 1897 he was a board of trustees member, and he was the longtime president of the board.

From 1899 until his death he served as the prosecuting attorney for Albany County.^[2]

Death and burial[]

Downey died in Denver, Colorado on August 14, 1902. He was buried in the Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie.

Family[]

Downey had two daughters with his first wife, Fannie Fisher. Fannie died in 1870, not long after the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming.^[3][4]

Downey married Evangeline Victoria Owen (1853–1937) in Laramie, Wyoming in 1872 and they had ten children. His son, Sheridan Downey (1884–1961) became a lawyer and United States Senator from California. His daughter, Dr. June Etta Downey (1875–1932), became a prominent psychologist, and a professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of Wyoming.^[5]

The Downey Family Papers (1866–1997) are located at the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center Archives.

References[]

External links[]

• Stephen Wheeler Downey at Find a Grave
• Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Cadastral Survey: Stephen W. Downey. Retrieved May 28, 2006.

United States Congress. "DOWNEY, Stephen Wheeler (id: D000470)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. - From the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Thompson, Saban (2004). "Wyoming Photo History: Colonel Stephen Wheeler Downey". Retrieved May 28, 2006. - Includes a photo of Stephen Wheeler Downey.

Further reading[]

• Antietam on the Web: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen W. Downey - Provides more details on his service during the Civil War.
• Civil War Archive, Union Regimental Histories: Maryland 3rd Regiment Potomac Home Brigade Infantry - Provides more details about the regiment Downey served in during the Civil War.