J. W. DOWNEY, physician and surgeon, Topeka; son of W. B. Downey, who was a native of Indiana, and is a farmer, now living in Allin Township. McLean Co., Ill. His parents were English descent; his mother's maiden name was Eaton, a daughter of John Eaton, of Indiana; his father was also a farmer. Dr. Downey was born Nov. 4, 1851, near Martinsburg, Keokuk Co., Iowa. At 4-1/2 years, he came with his parents, by team, as was customary in those days, to McLean Co., Ill., and then engaged in farming and attending school. When 17 years of age, he began learning photogrophy with Benjamin Gray, at Bloomingtim, Ill.; he continued this for one year, and then engaged to Gray and managed a gallery for him at Lincoln, Bloomington, and Fairbury; while at the latter place, he bought this gallery from Gray, and moved it to Chatsworth, and there continued the business for six months In 1871, he (quit photography, and returned to Allin Township, McLean Co., Ill., where he attended school in the country. In 1872, he began teaching, which he continued, in connection with reading medicine, for over three years. In 1872, he attended one term at the Normal School, in McLean Co., Ill.; during the period he was teaching, he devoted every spare moment to the study of Latin and other branches congenial to his taste; so earnest was he in the pursuit of the knowledge requisite to his future profession, that he studied on his way to and from school, and recited at night to John Q. Harris, who was Principal of the Stanford Schools. He has passed through many of the higher studies. In 1875-76, he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in which he graduated, and then engaged in practice with Dr. S. B. Wright, at Stanford. Ill., for one year. In 1877, he came to Topeka, Ill., where he has since practiced. He is an active and enthusiastic member of his profession, and enjoys an extensive practice. He has served a full share of those humble, but important public offices. He has twice been a member of the Board of Trustees of Stanford, Ill., and was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library at the same place, of which he was one of the founders. He is now Police Magistrate of Topeka, and also Town Treasurer.



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