User Home Page Genealogy Report: Ancestors of Minerva Jane French
Ancestors of Minerva Jane French
1.Minerva Jane French, born 28 November, 1869 in Chester Twp., Logan Co. IL (Source: French family History, family records kept by Geo. Darwin Downey); died 12 June, 1961 in Lincoln, Logan Co., IL (Source: obituary, family records kept by George Darwin Downey).She was the daughter of 2. Ezekiel French and 3. Caroline Alexander.She married (1) George Tillman Downey 25 February, 1891 in Chester Twp., Logan Co. IL (Source: French family History, family records kept by Geo. Darwin Downey).He was the son of Ezekiel Hinton Downey and Mary Ann Jones.
More About Minerva Jane French:
Address (Facts Page): 1960, Deaconess Nursing Home
Burial: June 1961, New Union Cemetery, Lincoln, IL
Cert. or Degree: Bet. 21 April 1888 - 30 August 1889, Cert. of Qualification to teach in Logan Co.
Honor: Reading, writing letters, making braided rugs, quilting
Occupation: Teaching, housewife, mother
Religion: Methodist Episcopal
Notes for George Tillman Downey: Lived in Eminence Twp. Logan Co. IL in 1894.About 1908 to 1917, they lived South of Chautauqua, "back of cemetery, covered bridge on Tom Edds' Big Hill-Rankin Crossing" near Salt Creek.Alma & Darwin rode pony to Sigg School.In 1917, George T. and Minerva Jane Downey lived in Aetna Twp. Sec. 29 on the 200 Acre Bert Braucher farm, N.W. of Chestnut, IL about 3 and 1/2 mi.He owned an Apperson auto and a 10-20 Bull tractor. Their daughter Grace had married Harless McKinley in June 1916 and lived down the hill 1/4 mi. to the west on the N. side of the road on the Wm. H. McKinley 80 acres.Mary was in nurse's training in Bloomington, IL. Paul, Alma, Darwin and Raymond were still living at home.About 1920, left farming and moved to Lincoln, IL.George worked at many different jobs; tried running a "gas station" with son Paul; worked at Lincoln China Factory; worked for farmers in the Co.; washed dishes at Molloy's cafe; bought farm in N. Dakota and son Paul, Leona and baby Mary Ann livedand worked there.He had Home Made Potato Chip business in 1937 until about 1941.Best chips I ever tasted.He owned a Nash sedan in 1936-39 when I lived with them at 203 Fifth St. in Lincoln, IL while I attended Lincoln College. Obituary:GEORGE TILLMAN DOWNEY died Tuesday, 07 November 1944, aged 79 years, at 11:15 p.m. in St. Clara's Hospital following an extended illness.He was born 22 August 1865 in Clark County, Illinois, the son of Ezekiel Hinton and Mary Ann Downey.He married Minerva Jane French 25 Feb 1891 at the home of her parents, Ezekiel and Caroline French.They farmed in Logan Co. for 29 years before moving to Lincoln, Illinois in 1920.He worked at many jobs; at the pottery; for various farmers around Lincoln; at Malloy's Restaurant as a dish washer and janitor; with his son Paul ran a gasoline service-station; he owned a farm in North Dakota which his son Paul operated in 1921-1924.About 1936 he started a potato chip business in Lincoln.Burial was in Union Cemetery, Lincoln, IL. |
More About George Tillman Downey:
Burial: 1944, New Union Cemetery, Lincoln, IL (Source: Obituary in Lincoln Courier.)
Occupation 1: Bef. 1920, Farming
Occupation 2: Bet. 1936 - 1939, Manufactured and sold Potato Chips
Marriage Notes for Minerva French and George Downey:
In the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel French, Chester Twp. Logan Co. IL, witnessed by her uncle Daniel French and her brother-in-law David Humphrey.Golden Anniversary-1941Forty relatives were served dinner Sunday noon in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Downey at 203 Fifth St. in Lincoln, IL in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary.Mr. and Mrs. Downey, their brothers and sisters, and Rev. and Mrs. A.A. Belyea were seated at the head table decorated in gold and centered with a bowl of roses from the grandchildren, and a huge wedding cake.The remainder of the guests were served cafeteria style.During the afternoon 125 friends and relatives called to congratulate the couple.They received many lovely gifts and flowers.Among the out-of-town guests were Mr. Downey's brothers and their families:Mr. and Mrs. John Downey of Peoria and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Downey of Chestnut; Mrs. Downey's brothers:Asa J. French and Charles French of Lincoln, her sisters, Mrs Allie Edds of Normal andMrs. Mary Humphreys of rural Lincoln.Their six children were all home for the occasion.Mr. and Mrs. Pal Fairfield of Fisher, IL were also guests.Mrs. Adeline Lawhead and Mrs. Jennie Gasprich assisted members of the family with serving the dinner.
Children of Minerva French and George Downey are:
i. | Myrtle Grace Downey, born 01 July, 1894 in Eminence Twp., Logan Co. IL (Source: record of birth); died 22 May, 1971 in Mary Henry Nursing Home, Lincoln, Logan Co., IL (Source: death certificate); married Harless Albert McKinley 28 June, 1916 in near Chestnut, Logan Co. IL (Source: marriage certificate). |
Notes for Myrtle Grace Downey: Attended 8th grade in Industry School which was located in Twp. 19N Range 2W of 3rd Principal Meridian, Rural Route 3, Lincoln, IL. with Laura Armstrong as teacher.She was 14 yr. old when her Grandma French died. In 1909 the Downey family were renting the Turner place in the Sigg School District.In 1911-1915 they lived South of Chautauqua on Salt Creek in a 2-story house on the side of a hill.Grace drove horse and buggy to town to attend Lincoln College in 1911 to May 1912.She stabled the horse at her Aunt Allie Edd's in town.She taught Rothchild School 1912-1913 and began teaching Mt. Airy in Sept 1913.A teaching contract was signed 4th May 1914 by Albert Lakin, Frank Whitaker and Tom Gulso and Grace Downey to teach Mt. Airy School District 13 in Logan Co. IL for a term of 8 school mo. commencing on the 1st day of Sept. 1914 for $65. per month.In July, 1914 she studied Arithmetic and Geography Methods at ISNU in Normal, IL.In her diary she tells of her Geography class going to Mackinaw Dells, and of the pavillion on a cliff 72 feet above the Mackinaw River.Dad ordered her diamond engagement ring from Sears, Roebuck and Co. Chicago in Sept 1914, English style mounting set with 5/32 carat diamond for $15.70.While teaching at Mt. Airy, she taught Dad's sister Mary in the 8th grade and his nephew, Raymond Lakin in the 3rd grade.She roomed and boarded at Frank Whitaker's and sometimes stayed at McKinley's. 1915-1916-She taught in Bloomingdale School, North of Lincoln near Interurban tracks, roomedand boarded first at Roy and Eula Bradway's, then George Wilmerts, taught some of the Wilmert girls, Grace, Mildred, Marie, Edith, and Dorothy and George and Mollie Seibert.A black student, Thomas Rouse brought Mom flowers in Sept. 1915.Dad would drive his horse and buggy to Lincoln, stable them and take the interurban to visit Mom.He said that he would go to sleep driving back and the horse took him home.Sometimes he spent the night at the Spitly House in Lincoln. Mom's Uncle John Downey died 27 June 1915 in Lafayette, IN.Her father, mother, brother Darwin, Uncle Oscar Downey and she went in her Dad's car to the funeral.George T., her father was driving too fast to make a turn in the road near Sydney, not far from Champaign, IL;Mom was thrown from the car and her front teeth were knocked out.Her face was black and blue and she told of her embarrassment at her appearance when meeting relatives during their stay in IN. In June 1916 the Downey's were living on the hill about a quarter mile east of the McKinley farm.Dad and Mom were married in the yard at her parents home. She was active in the Methodist Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Church Treasurer, President of the Women's Society; officer in the Missionary Society.She directed Children's Day programs and worked in the Summer Vacation Bible School.She was an active member of the Home Bureau and served as Camp Recorder of the Royal Neighbors of America for many years.She had been a member of the Larkin Club and the Women's Christian Temperance Union early in her marriage, although she believed in total abstinence from alcohol and tobacco.She served as officer in the Community Club of the schools which her children attended. Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, sewing, gardening, canning, quilting, weaving rugs, and raising 6 children never kept her from attending and helping with church services. I remember Mom as always being slender and wearing her black hair cut in a short "bob". |
More About Myrtle Grace Downey: Burial: 1971, Laenna Cemetery, Chestnut, Logan Co. IL (Source: family records.) Cert. or Degree: 01 July, 1914, Elementary Teacher's Cert. for 2 yr. (Source: Certificate.) College: IL State Normal University, Arith. & Geog. Diploma: 12 June, 1912, Lincoln College of the James Millikin U. (Source: Diploma.) Grad. Elem. School: 03 April, 1908, 9th and 10th grades (Source: Certificate.) Hobbies: Quilting, reading, weaving rugs, embroidery, tatting, crocheting Number of children (Facts: 6 Occupation 1: Bet. 1914 - 1916, Teaching (Source: family records.) Occupation 2: Aft. 1916, homemaker, mother, church worker Religion: Methodist Episcopal |
Notes for Harless Albert McKinley: Registered for draft In June 1917, classified class 4.He was a farmer, married with one child on 15 July 1918. "Decedant left a Last Will and testament under which MYRTLE GRACE McKINLEY as surviving widow is the sole beneficiary of all testamentary assets.No proceedings have been instituted r are contemplated for probate thereof since all of decedent's property interests were non-testamentary in anture consisting of joint tenancy assets with the only exceptions of some shares of stpcl amd a 1956 Studebaker 2door sedanwhich do not exceed $2500. in value and thus qualify for transfer to widow under Section 324 of Illinois Probate Act." Application for Inheritance Tax Consents, 10 July 1970:Decedent's residence in Chestnut, Illinois, being only real estate, owned in joint tenancy with widow.Full Value of residence $6,940 (purchased on 10/1/1959 for $6000.Bank funds:$3,307.14Shares of stock"Bank of Chestnut, 2 shares $200.; Farmer's Grain Co., Chestnut, IL 3 shares. pfd. $150.Gross taxable inyheritance of widow considerably less than applicable exemption of $20,000." |
More About Harless Albert McKinley: Address (Facts Page): Chestnut, Logan Co. IL Burial: Laenna Cemetery, Chestnut, Logan Co. IL Cert. or Degree: Eighth Grade, Dist. 7, Logan Co. IL Hobbies 1: Aft. 1960, gardening Hobbies 2: Playing pool, and cards Military service: Home Guard, W.W.I Occupation: Farmer Religion: United Brethren, Methodist Episcopal Retirement: December 1959, Chestnut, IL (Source: Obituary in Lincoln Courier.) |
Marriage Notes for Myrtle Downey and Harless McKinley: "Chestnut Couple Wed With Pretty Ceremony.Miss Grace Downey and Harless McKinley, members of well known and prominent families of the Chestnut vicinity were united in marriage at high noon Wednesday, June 28, 1916, at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Downey in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives.The ceremony was read by Rev. W. M. Carter, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Pulaski, under a canopy of flowers and green branches arranged on the spacious front porch of the Downey home.The ring ceremony was used and the couple were attended by Miss Mary Downey, of Chicago, a sister of the bride, and Harley McKinley, a twin brother of the groom.The bride was attired in a gown of white shadow lace over taffeta and wore a veil.She carried a large bouquet of white rosebuds.Her sister wore pale pink. Following the ceremony a bountiful three course dinner was served the sixty guests, relatives and friends, beneath the trees on the lawn where long tables had been arranged.Miss Bessie Edds, of Normal, a cousin of the bride and domestic science teacher, superintended the wedding dinner.Out of town guests were a sister of the groom, Mrs. Richard Christison and two children of Decatur, Misses Bessie and Vera Edds of Normal, and Roma Edds of Springfield, cousins of the bride.The bride has been a teacher in Logan Co. schools for several years having recently closed the term at Rothschild (? Bloomingdale) school near her home.She was a graduate of the county schools and attended Lincoln College. Harless is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McKinley and for several years has been operating a farm owned by his father in the vicinity of Chestnut, where he will take his bride upon their return from a several days' wedding trip.His parents will move to Mt. Pulaski the last of August." In a letter from Bessie Edds is found the following list of things needed for the wedding dinner: Chicken-20 lb., butter-3 to 5 lb.,Potatoes-2 pk., milk, 3 qt., Peas, 8 cans, Rolls-5 to 8 doz., Marshmallows- 3lb., White cherries, 3 cans, Pineapple- 3 cans, nuts- 1 lb., Bread-sandwich bread, Ice cream-5 gallon, Cake----, Coffee- 1 lb., Lard-3 lb., Olives-?, Cream-whipt, Eggs, flour, salt, pepper, mustard, paper napkins. |
ii. | Mary Almedia Downey, born 27 July, 1896 in Logan Co. IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 06 September, 1995 in Escondido, CA (Source: Letter from daughters in Escondido, CA); married Loren Z. Reeder 22 June, 1920 in Englewood Christian Church, Chicago, IL (Source: wedding announcement, French family history by G. Darwin Downey). |
Notes for Mary Almedia Downey: Lost her memory before 1982 by age of 86 yr. |
More About Mary Almedia Downey: Cert. or Degree: Nurse's training Grad. Elem. School: 28 May, 1915, graduated from Lincoln High School |
iii. | Paul Ezekiel Downey, born 30 November, 1899 in Illinois (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 18 September, 1959 in Creve Coeur, IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); married (1) Leona Phelan 1922 in IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); married (2) Emylene Crawford 02 February, 1935 (Source: French family History, Downey family records). |
More About Paul Ezekiel Downey: Cause of Death: killed by auto while crossing street Occupation 1: 1924, farming in N. Dakota for Geo. T. Downey Occupation 2: factory worker Occupation 3: service station operator |
More About Leona Phelan: Religion: member St. Patrick's Catholic Church |
iv. | Alma Caroline Downey, born 26 November, 1901 in Logan Co., IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 27 June, 1998 in Marietta, GA; married Herman Archelaus Fortman 07 April, 1923 in Pacific Grove, CA (Source: French family History, Downey family records). |
More About Alma Caroline Downey: Address (Facts Page): moved to Tuscon, AZ about 1958 Hobbies: Crocheting; traveling; listening to Books for the Blind Medical Information: Legally blind for years Occupation: seamstress, worked in Clothing factory in Lincoln, IL |
More About Herman Archelaus Fortman: Address (Facts Page): Tuscon, AZ Hobbies: fishing Occupation: laborer, factory worker |
v. | George Darwin Downey, born 02 March, 1903 in Logan Co. ,llinois (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 20 June, 1985 in Ft. Myers, Lee Co. , Florida (Source: obituary, family records); married (1) Myrtle Cook 09 March, 1927 in Chicago, Cook Co. IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); married (2) Violet Peterson 03 October, 1969 (Source: French family History, Downey family records by Geo. Darwin Downey). |
More About George Darwin Downey: Address (Facts Page): Elmhurst, IL Burial: Ft. Myers, FL Occupation: worked for Sears Roebuck Co. in Chicago, IL |
Notes for Violet Peterson: Widow of Johnson. |
vi. | Henry Raymond Downey, born 19 September, 1904 in Logan Co. Illinois (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 03 November, 1996 in Ft. Myers, Lee Co. FL (Source: family records); married (1) Gertrude Marie Wisersky 13 April, 1928 in Waukegan, IL (Source: French family History, Downey family records); married (2) Doris Hazenfield Aft. 1954 in Westminister Presbyterian Church, Decatur, IL (Source: Marriage Announcement.). |
More About Henry Raymond Downey: Address (Facts Page): Decatur, IL Burial: Ft. Myers, FL Occupation: Auditor, Citizen's Nat'l. Bank, Decatur, IL (Source: family records.) |
More About Gertrude Marie Wisersky: Burial: 1953, Graceland Cem., Decatur, IL (Source: Obituary from Decatur Herald.) |
More About Doris Hazenfield: Burial: February 1998, Decatur, Macon Co. IL Occupation: Chambers Bering Quinlin Co. |
vii. | Unnamed Downey, born 20 January, 1908 in Logan Co. Illinois (Source: French family History, Downey family records); died 02 February, 1908 in Logan Co. Illinois (Source: gravestone, Downing Cem. Logan Co. IL). |