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Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. James F. Downes: Birth: 9 JUL 1871 in Crockett, Houston County, Texas. Death: 30 JUL 1932 in Texas

  2. Person Not Viewable

  3. Edward E. Downes: Death: 23 JUN 1901 in Saledo Samar, P.I.


Family
Marriage:
Sources
1. Title:   Census, Houston County Texas, 1860, 1870.
2. Title:   beasley.ftw

Notes
a. Note:   [beasley.ftw] J. E. Downes built a beautiful Eastlake Victorian house which was one of the outstanding homes of Crockett. It was started in 1891 and completed in 1893. In 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Downes moved to Dallas, and the home was purchased by A. A. Aldrich. The Aldrich heirs gave the house to the State of Texas for preservation in 1974. The Historical and Cultural Activities Center of Houston County, Texas, Inc. received conservatorship from the State in 1980. OBIT: CROCKETT COURIER - February 1, 1917 James Elbert Downes died Dallas, home of his son, J.F. Downes, 71 years, 2 months, 24 days. He was the son of L.E. and Matilda Downes. In 1870, he married Miss Elizabeth Brown, a Crockett girl. Three sons were born to this family. The elder, James F. Downes, the next, Dr. William A. Downes of New York, the youngest, Edward E. Downes was a 1st Lt. in the US Infantry and fell in battle June 23, 1901. Mr. Downes leaves a brother, John Fletcher downes of Atascosa Co., and two sisters, Mrs. H.C. Eichelberger and Mrs. S. Romain of Crockett. Only one of J.E. Downes children had issue: William A. Letter to Bebe Ulrich from Margaret Downes Lane, September 28, 1981: Dear Bebe, Thank you for your letter. I am sorry to have been so remiss in writing. I had major surgery the end of March and have been recuperating slowly. At present, I am in New York, but will be returning to Florida the middle of October. You refer to yourself as a beginner in genealogy. Believe me, you are way ahead of me! I have absolutely nothing of either my morther or father's family to use as a reference point for sharing. I believe myself to be the only living grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Downes. My father, William A. Downes, was the only one of the three sons who had children. My Uncle Edward was killed in the Phillipines, and Uncle Jim and Aunt Leela had no children. I had two sisters, both now deceased. One, Elizabeth Downes Payne, had two children, Elizabeth Downes Freet and William Downes Payne. I have no children, so these are the only great-grandchildren of J.E. and Elizabeth Downes. One is living in Connecticut, the other in Arizona. I am close to them both since they really are my only relatives. At the time of Aunt Leela death I was sent a few little pieces of silver by a lady in Crockett who worked for her. She said they had belonged to my grandmother, and she wanted me to have them. I have no papers or records of a family Bible. When I first started making inquiries in 1975, I received a letter from Mrs. Nannie Smith English, and I am enclosing a copy of the data she sent me. I do have in my possession two pictures of my grandfather, one with my grandmother, and if you would like copies, I'll be glad to have them made. I found the "funeral notice" you sent me most interesting. I have always hoped that I might have an opportunity to visit Crockett and perhaps next spring, if my health permits, I may be able to do so. I will phone you when I am settled back in Florida. Thanks so much for all the information. Sincerely, Margaret Downes Lane


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