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Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 3 November 2005 |
| Sources: |
The History of Warren County Ohio Part V. Biographical Sketches Massie Township (Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992) |
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JOSEPH J. DOWNING, artist, P. O. Harveysburg; born in Center Co., Penn., Oct. 20, 1858; is a son of Jacob and Jane (Underwood) Downing; he a native of Center Co., and she of York Co., Penn. The paternal grandparents, Thomas and Rebecca (Starr) Downing, were natives of Pennsylvania, and lived and died in their native State. Thomas was a farmer by occupation, and when he started in life he purchased land the title to which proved defective, and he had to pay for his land a second time, which was a heavy burden in the commencement of his business life, but notwithstanding this drawback he became a very prosperous farmer, and by industry and energy became possessed of a good competency. He died aged 69 years; his wife died July 15, 1819, aged 59 years. Jacob Downing was raised to manhood in Pennsylvania; married and became the father of nine children, five now survive— Hannah M., Rebecca S., Maria M., Matilda J. and Joseph J. Rebecca S. (deceased) married Jeremiah Fravel, by whom she had three sons and two daughters. Maria M., married Jesse Romine; Matilda J., married Zephaniah Underwood, and have two sons and two daughters. Mr. Downing died June 9, 1862, aged 55 years. He was a farmer, but had very poor health, caused, it is believed, in a great measure, from the care, labor and watching over his father during the last years of his life. The maternal grandparents, Zephaniah and Hannah Underwood, were natives of York Co., Penn., where they spent most of their lives, but died in Center Co., Penn. They had six children, four sons and two daughters, five now survive—Charles; Rebecca, now Mrs. Perry John, living in Pennsylvania; William, John and Jane. The ancestors of both the Downing and Underwood families were from England. William Underwood emigrated to North Carolina, and located at Elizabeth City, where he still resides and where he has made himself quite popular by his energy and enterprise in public improvements, and the aid he gave in building up the city, which was so badly destroyed during the war of the rebellion; and as a token of their appreciation of his services, they presented him with a fine gold-headed cane. Mrs. Downing and her family, in the spring of 1878, emigrated to Ohio and located where they now live and have since resided. Joseph, our subject, was raised to farm labor, |
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but early manifested a great taste and talent as an artist, and although opposed by his kindred and friends from pursuing that line of business, yet he continued to prosecute his scheme of painting and pencil drawings till his natural genius manifested itself so overpoweringly that it overcame all opposition to his plans, and he began to systematise his ways and means to acquire some scientific knowledge of the art. Mr. Downing then embraced the opportunity to learn some of the principles and rules of portrait painting under Prof. Southworth, who was then teaching the art to a class in Lebanon; was under his instructions about five weeks when the Professor gave him notice that he could teach him no more, as it was evident to him as also to the general critics of the art that Mr. Downing was excelling him in the perfection of his paintings. Mr. Downing has continued the practice of the art; has executed many portraits, and has received the highest encomiums from the press, as well as from those whose work he has executed with so much skill. Every life-like expression seems to flow from his pencil as if by magic, and when his hand gives the finishing touch there appears before you a far more life-like picture than any photographer can possibly execute. Mr. Downing is strictly a self-made man, and we have no hesitancy it predicting that, if his life and health are spared, he will, as he already does, excel in the art; and will arise to notoriety and distinction in this beautiful and God-given science. |
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This page created 3 November 2005 and last updated
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© 2005 Arne H Trelvik
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