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 | Westernport, Maryland | July 25, 1839
Died | August 3, 1902 Albany County, Wyoming | (aged 63)
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 |
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[]
- ^ "Downey, Stephen Wheeler Biography". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774-present. congress.gov. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ Ritter, Charles F. (1989). American Legislative Leaders, 1850-1910. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 189. ISBN 9780313239434.
- ^ Viner, Kim. "Stephen and Eva Downey Day: Laramie Pioneers Honored". Albany County Historical Society, Albany County, Wyoming. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Death notice for Mrs. Fannie Downey". The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wheeling, W. Virginia. 21 May 1870. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ Bazar, Jennifer (2010). "Profile: June Etta Downey". Psychology's Feminist Voices Multimedia Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
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.
- 1839 births
- 1902 deaths
- Wyoming lawyers
- Wyoming Republicans
- Members of the Wyoming Territorial Legislature
- Members of the Wyoming House of Representatives
- Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from Wyoming Territory
- Politicians from Laramie, Wyoming
- People from Westernport, Maryland
- People of Maryland in the American Civil War
- 19th-century American politicians
- State Auditors of Wyoming