James Downing
James Downing
Co. I
35th U.S.C.T.
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. News Item about accident, 1881
His Leg Cut Off
Mention of the unfortunate result of the accident to Mr. James Downing, was submitted in the last issue. On arriving at Carrizo, Dr. Spohn found Mr. Downing under the influence of chloroform and his leg very badly shattered below the knee. He considered amputation as necessary, and at once proceeded to perform the operation. Upon recovering from the influence of the narcotic the strong man could not contain himself or restrain his very natural emotions. He has the deep sympathy of his many friends in his troubles.
Source: Corpus Christi Semi-Weekly Ledger, April 20, 1881, p. 2, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
2. News article, 1893
Edward Kilmer
Christian Heisselholdt
Julian Garza
Samuel McComb
James Downing
FOR THE HONORED DEAD
The Tombstones for the U. S. soldiers’ Graves Have Arrived
Through the instrumentality of Mr. E. J. Kilmer, member of the local G.A.R. Post, fourteen tombstones have arrived in Corpus Christi, to be placed at the head of the graves of the United States soldiers buried in the cemeteries of this city. These stones are each 3 feet high, 4 inches thick, and 10 inches wide. Many of the soldiers whose graves they will mark were well-known citizens of Corpus Christi.
The following comprises the list of the honored dead over whose graves the tombstones will be placed next week, under the supervision of Mr. Kilmer: Patrick Farrell, First New Orleans Infantry, Company C, Died August 20, 1869; Silvario Villegas, First Texas Cavalry, Company K, Died August 20, 1876; Nicholas Gorgan, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company I, Died January 7, 1856; Thomas H. Murray, First New Orleans Infantry, Company C, Died 1867; Denis McCoy, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company A, Died October 17, 1875; Wm. S. Shaw, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company A, Died March 28, 1865; Patrick McCabe, Seventh U. S. Infantry Company I, Died May 4, 1875; Commissary Sergeant Samuel McComb, First New Orleans Volunteer Infantry, Company A, Died September 11, 1867; Andrew W. Hyndam _____ Infantry, Company B, Died September 4 186_; Christian F. Heisselholdt, Tenth U. S. Infantry, Company H, Died September 29, 1869; Lieut. James Downing, Thirty-sixth F. S. Colored Troop, Died April 28, 1891; Capt. Cesario Falcon, First Texas Cavalry Company K, Died June 18, 1888; Julian Garza, First Texas Cavalry Company N, Died May 7, 1890; Narcisso Hernandez, First Texas Cavalry, Company I, Died July 1, 1891
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, May 19, 1893, p 6, col. 5
Research by: Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
3. Obituary
In memoriam
Died in the city of Corpus Christi, county of Nueces and State of Texas on the twenty-eighth day of April, A.D., 1891, JAMES DOWNING, aged 48 years, 4 months and 24 days.
The subject of the above notice was born in Devonshire, England, December 4, 1842. In 1849 or 1850 his parents removed with their family to Cape Breton Isle, and from there in 1852 or 1853 to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where at an early age the deceased imbibed from the teachings of historic ground the breath and spirit of Americanism that marked his subsequent life.
At an early age the energy, activity and capacity of the deceased, blended with a fine and commanding presence secured for him confidence and appointment to valuable positions of public trust, but which were all laid aside at the break out of the civil war by him, and he resigned everything to become one of the first of the nation’s defenders.
He was mustered into the service of the United States from his adopted state Massachusetts, and to its regiment of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and participated with that serviceable regiment in the engagement at Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Shady Grove, and the memorable five days engagement at Petersburg of June 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. At the last mentioned engagement it was the fortune of war that he should be made a prisoner, and as such he suffered all the extremes of prison life at successively Libbey Belle Isle, Lynchburg, Danville, Macon, Andersonville, Savannah, Millen and Berkshire.
Sick, emaciated and suffering he was finally relieved by exchange, and in time to be with his gallant corps a participant in the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. For his gallant and meritorious services he attained the promotion the rank of sergeant in the artillery, and upon the reorganization of the army was advanced successively to second lieutenant and then first lieutenant in the Thirty-sixth U. S. Infantry, and was sent to Texas, where in the administration of military affairs entrusted to him he made warm friends of the people of this and adjoining countries. For gallantry he was brevetted major, and retired to civil life, and cast his fortunes with southwest Texas, marrying at the age to twenty-five, Miss Mary Blucher, who survives him.
The characteristics that fitted him for advancement in the large city of Boston, secured him responsible and important positions of trust and confidence in the locality. For many sessions and years he was elected sand re-elected as alderman and was a leading member of the city council of the city of Corpus Christi. He was mayor pro tem of our city at an important period in its history. Subsequently he was inducted to become its city marshal and to his untiring efforts, vigilance and disregard of danger, acting in concert with the then sheriff of the county, Thomas Beynon, this southwest country owes its peace, safety of property and its riddance of an element of lawlessness. The active history of the fire department also recognizes him as its chief engineer for many years, and in fact no man ever lived in the community who exceeded or excellent the deceased in public spirit, energy and the bringing of fine administration ability to every public measure undertaken by him.
It was his misfortune while engaged in the service of the U. S. government as deputy collector of customs, at Carrizo, Texas, to lose a limb by the unfortunate discharge of a pistol, since which period he has held distinctively to the customs service, holding the position of deputy collector in this customs district at the time of his death. And now we record the painful fact of his demise, even when the ripeness of years, was as the full fruition of a worthy life. His death was comparatively unanticipated, as it was thought and believed by his friends and his fine constitution would carry him through the complication of physical ill that attacked him.
In his death this community recognizes the loss of a true, tried, valued and consistent friend, neighbor and citizen. Devoted in his friendships, his circle can but poignantly miss the rare and genial presence of the man whose breadth of heart had compass of charity and love for all. In the sacred precincts and tenderness of his home life, we have no right to intrude, save to know as we do that with the dear and charming companion of his choice, the hours of life were blossoms and the story of domestic felicity a poem and for her sadness in this hour of bereavement and her great and irreparable loss, we extend, in common with all the friends and admirers of the deceased and his manly virtues, the sincere sympathy and condolence of friendship.
IN MEMORIAM
MAJOR JAMES DOWNING, DIED AT CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, APRIL 28, 1891
Just and sincere, a good man gone to rest –
A man beloved by those who knew him best,
Made dear by acts, that each kind thought gave birth,
Each one who knew him realized his worth;
Sadly, we give him back to "Mother Earth."
"Death loves a shining mark" – Alas! ‘Tis true’ –
Our whole community, his virtues knew ---
Well may his relatives his loss deplore,
Naught but fond memory left them, evermore,
In all things __________, simple kind, and true –
No pen could all his virtues being to view;
Gone from our midst, with this our last adieu.
E.M.H.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, May 2, 1891, p.1
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Submitted by: Geraldine McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
4. Research by Frank Wagner
DOWNING, JAMES, b. 4 December, 1842, in Davonshire, Great Britain, d. 28 April, 1891.1 Downing came to the United States with his parents in 1849, and settled on Cape Breton Island. They moved to Boston in 1855. At the beginning of the Civil War, he joined the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and fought at Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania, North Anne River, Tolopotomy River, Cold Harbor, Shady Grove and the first six days of June at Petersburg. A lieutenant, he was captured by Confederate soldiers, and held as a prisoner at Libby Belle Isle, Lynchburg, Danville, Macon, Andersonville, Savannah and Berkshire. On his liberation, he was breveted Major and retired. He married Mary Felicia von Blucher of Corpus Christi 16 November, 1867. Downing served as an alderman of Corpus Christi in 1876-77, and briefly as Mayor Pro-Tem. Later he was made city marshal and was wounded by a pistol shot in the leg, which was amputated. He widow married Charles Andrew Meuly 9 years later.2
Research by: Frank Wagner
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
1 Corpus Christi Caller, 2 May, 1891.
2 Genealogisches Handbuch der Adelign Hauser, Ser. A, Band IV, C. A. Starke Verlag, 1960.