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J. P. Downing |
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J. P. DOWNING, proprietor of the Grand Central hotel, was born October 15, 1820, at Horse creek eddy, this county. His father, James Downing, a native of Westmoreland county, was drafted while plowing, and took part in Perry’s famous victory on Lake Erie. About three months after that engagement he, with his wife, Nancy, (whose maiden name was Nelies), removed to the region of Oil creek, this county, and was soon after employed at Bell’s furnace, which was located near the site of the Union depot of Oil City, and he also was for a number of years engaged in burning charcoal for use at this furnace. He died in 1862, in the faith of the Methodist church, and was the father of seven children: Daniel; Nelies; Isabella; James; Harriet; J. D., and Catharine. William Nelies, father of Nancy (Nelies) Downing, was a soldier and spy in the Revolutionary army, settled near what is known as Walnut Bend, Cornplanter township, at an early day, and was the father of five children: Andrew; James; Nancy; Isaiah, and William. J. D. Downing received a common school education and was early employed at a furnace. For years he was a raft pilot of a rafting boat, which was used from Warren to Pittsburgh and over other parts of the Allegheny river. September 23, 1850, he was married to Amelia Myers, and has six children: John; Willis C.; James; Nathan; Alice, and George. Soon after this important event he began keeping hotel at Shipman eddy, Warren county, Pennsylvania, and three years later removed to Glade run in the same county, whence he came to Oil City and kept the Union house, in the Third ward, and took care of the driving park for three years. He subsequently served as policeman and constable of Oil City, three and two years, respectively. About the year 1886 he bought lots and built the Grand Central hotel, together with four other adjoining houses. He is a Democrat in politics. His wife’s parents, John and Mary (Hohn) Myers, who were natives of Maryland and New York states, respectively, became residents of Cranberry township early in its settlement, and had the following children: Sarah; Louisa; Jeremiah; John; Ephraim; Almira; Sophronia; Florena; Leander, and Sylvester, all of whom are living except Ephraim and Leander, who lost their lives in the service in the Union army. Mr. Myers erected one of the early grist mills at East Sandy and managed it in connection with a mercantile store at that place for many years. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc. .
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