Downing-Moses

ANYONE HAVE A PHOTO OF MOSES DOWNING? Sure would love one !!

Moses Downing was born on Shawnee Prairie in Fountain County on January 9, 1833. His only sibling, Ellis (named for a great grandmother’s maiden name) was born two years later, the same year their father died. Their mother, Susannah Wilkinson raised the boys with a bit of help from an uncle, then when the boys were 15 and 13, the three moved and settled in Salt Creek Township, Davis County, Iowa.

At the young age of 17, he married Martha Robbins (28 May 1850 Davis County, Iowa), who was a year older than Moses and also an Indiana native. They parented six children, their oldest, John dying at age 18 months.

He was 23 when he joined the Church of Christ and in 1863 was ordained a minister. It was noted that never did he “preach to the benches,” meaning he was a great minister who had the house filled each week. People came from miles around to not only hear him preach but to have him marry them. It was a prestigious item to have Uncle Moses’ blessings. His marriage tally was almost 1,250 which was the state record in Iowa at the time he retired.

Preaching and teaching went well (farming, too in the summer time) for Moses Downing, being a dearly loved teacher for 23 years and county superintendent for more. In 1877, Moses and family moved to Bloomfield, Iowa There, he worked as a deputy in every county office and served three terms as recorder with a perfect, clean record in all positions. For a few years, he evidently worked as a clerk in a store, as well.

The last ten or so years, he lived with their children, Elmer Clay in Stillwater, Oklahoma and Orrin Marquess Downing. Other children were William Allen and Augusta Alva (and possibly another dying young) who at his death in August 1920, produced him 17 grandchildren and six greats, then of course more later. Martha had passed about the time he toured his children’s home, having died at age 77 years of a stroke. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater.

Usually in good health, he suffered a severe case of the flu, then had a relapse not long before his death.

Do believe Uncle Moses Downing was a Fountain Countian of whom not only we, but his father as well would be most proud.

His obituary (Arkansas City Daily 11 Aug 1920 p 4) noted that “Couples came from all over the neighboring counties to be married by Uncle Moses. He was one of the most popular and beloved men in any community where he made his home!”