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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John C. Downey is a member of one of the first families of Ashley County, Ark., his father, John C. Downey, settling here in 1850. The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe County, Ala., December 16, 1846, but when four years of age was brought to this State, and with his parents settled on a farm in Long View Township, near the Saline River. On this place the father’s death occurred in 1860, the result of a gunshot wound received accidentally. On this farm John C., Jr., resided until the spring of 1863, when he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and was afterward a participant in the fights at Mark’s Mill, Jenkins’ Ferry, and was also in the engagements in which Price participated on his Missouri raid. He then came home, where he remained until the fall of 1865, when he went to Pine Bluff, where he acted as salesman for F. G. Swart for one year, then spent some time with Fish, Butler &Co., after which he returned to Ashley County and began farming. He continued here until 1873, then went to Franklin County, where he read law and practiced for some years. In 1883 he once more returned to this county, and here now owns 4,200 acres of land, a considerable portion of which is under cultivation. He has been prominently identified with the affairs of Ashley County ever since he attained manhood, and has proven a valuable citizen to the locality. He was married in 1870 to Miss D. A. Calloway, by whom he has nine children—three sons and six daughters. In 1888 he was elected to the position of county and probate judge, and is now ably discharging the duties of this office. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for some time, and he and Mrs. Downey also are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 97 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ashley County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ashley County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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