William Henry DOVASTON⁽¹⁶⁷⁾ was born in 1802. He was christened on 18 Mar 1802 in West Felton, Shropshire, England. Parents: Milward DOVASTON and Eleanor WILDE.

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Charlotte DOWER⁽²⁷⁰¹⁾ Identified as wife in husbands will. She was executor of will along with Abija Peck (Clifton Park Baptist Church) and Amos Groom. See Saratoga Historical Society Records.

Children were: Abagail (Mary) GROOM, Mary GROOM, Peter GROOM, John GROOM, Isaac GROOM, Sally GROOM.

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Louisa Eliza Abigail DOWNING⁽²⁷⁰²⁾ was born on 8 Nov 1851 in Miss.⁽²⁷⁰³⁾ She appeared on the census on 8 Jun 1880 in Kanab Precinct, Kane Co, UT. ⁽²⁷⁰⁴⁾ She appeared on the census on 21 Jun 1900 in Maricopa Co, Az. ⁽²⁷⁰⁵⁾ She appeared on the census on 19 Apr 1910 in Alma Precinct, Maricopa Co, AZ.⁽²⁷⁰⁶⁾ She died on 4 May 1914 in Mesa, AZ.⁽²⁷⁰⁷⁾ She was buried on 5 May 1914 in Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, AZ. ⁽²⁷⁰⁸⁾ Parents: Plesant DOWNING and Mary J DUKE.

She was married to Jessie PEARCE on 19 Dec 1875 in Miss.⁽²⁷⁰⁹⁾ Children were: Zebulon PEARCE, Gina Florinda PEARCE, Jesse Robert PEARCE, Mary Abigail PEARCE, Loran Janae PEARCE, George Washington PEARCE , Zetta May PEARCE.

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Plesant DOWNING⁽²⁷¹⁰⁾ was born in Mississippi. Death certificate of daughter Eliza Louisa Abigail.

Children were: Louisa Eliza Abigail DOWNING.

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Sarepta DOWNING⁽²²³³⁾.

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Alan Sharpe DOWNS was born on 15 Jan 1939 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co, Ks. He died on 8 Sep 1970. He was buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Ks. Parents: Ira Jackson DOWNS and Elsie Elizabeth (Sallie) BROWN.

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Albert Milton DOWNS was born on 28 Feb 1875. He appeared on the census on 12 Jun 1880 in Republican Twp, Clay Co, Ks.⁽²⁷¹¹⁾ He died on 23 Feb 1959. Parents: William DOWNS and Margaret Emeline ASHLOCK.

He was married to Lizzie C. SIGLER on 4 Apr 1900.

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Anita Faye DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Vernon DOWNS and Rose Alice WALLACE.

She was married to Leyon HAMES on 17 Sep 1961. She was divorced from Leyon HAMES. Children were: Richard Leyon HAMES, Terri Gaye HAMES, Jerri Faye HAMES.

Children were: Carmen C CAREY, Michael William CAREY.

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Benjaman Lee DOWNS (Private). Parents: Benny Lee TRUJILLO and Texanna May DOWNS.

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Brenna Colleen DOWNS (Private). Parents: Charles Robert DOWNS and Mary Janelle DOLAN.

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Catherine DOWNS⁽⁵⁶²⁾

She was married to John VIAN on 2 Nov 1843 in Knox Co, Oh.

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Catherine DOWNS⁽²⁷¹²⁾ was born in 1852. Parents: William W DOWNS and Mary (Polly) VIAN.

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Charles Edwin DOWNS was born on 27 Jan 1877. He appeared on the census on 12 Jun 1880 in Republican Twp, Clay Co, Ks.⁽²⁷¹³⁾ He died on 25 Jul 1935. Parents: William DOWNS and Margaret Emeline ASHLOCK.

He was married to Ida L. ROBINETT on 9 Dec 1903.

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Charles Robert DOWNS (Private). Parents: Horace Roland DOWNS and Ruby Ruth MCCOWN.

Children were: Jason Charles DOWNS, Rebecca Jane DOWNS, Brenna Colleen DOWNS.

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Charley Emil DOWNS (Private). Parents: Wallace Eugene DOWNS and Charlene Marie RADER.

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Clint Michael DOWNS (Private). Parents: Steven Gene DOWNS and Peggy Sue O'NEAL.

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Corby Michelle DOWNS (Private). Parents: Terrance Lee DOWNS and Cynthia Ann DUNAGAN.

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Danille Jo DOWNS (Private). Parents: Steven Gene DOWNS and Peggy Sue O'NEAL.

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Darrell Vernon DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Vernon DOWNS and Rose Alice WALLACE.

He was married to Barbara YOUNG on 18 Sep 1955. He was divorced from Barbara YOUNG. Children were: Lorie Lynn DOWNS, Julie Ann DOWNS.

Children were: Glenn Vernon DOWNS .

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David Arthur DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Edward DOWNS and Nina LAWRENCE.

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David Gene DOWNS Jr Parents: Glenn Edward DOWNS and Barbara Jean SMITH.

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Debra Sue DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Edward DOWNS and Barbara Jean SMITH.

Children were: Lori Renee ZEITVOGEL, Charles Edward ZEITVOGEL .

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Delcina DOWNS⁽²⁷¹⁴⁾ was born in 1843 in Oh.⁽²⁷¹⁵⁾ She appeared on the census on 24 Sep 1850 in Washington Twp, Mercer Co, OH. ⁽²⁷¹⁶⁾ Parents: William W DOWNS and Mary (Polly) VIAN.

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Dennis DOWNS

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Dorcas Sophia DOWNS⁽²⁷¹⁷⁾ was born on 8 Mar 1840 in Oh.⁽²⁷¹⁸⁾ She appeared on the census on 24 Sep 1850 in Washington Twp, Mercer Co, OH. ⁽²⁷¹⁹⁾ Parents: William W DOWNS and Mary (Polly) VIAN.

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Elsie Ruth DOWNS (Private). Parents: Leil Emil DOWNS and Inez Faye SERVAES.

Children were: Doris Fae RIGGAN, Carol Jean RIGGAN, Emil Hilliard RIGGAN, John Edmond RIGGAN.

She was married to Raymon Floce FULLER on 15 Jan 1982. Children were: Terry Ray FULLER, Randy Dale FULLER, John Charles FULLER, Dana Jolene FULLER.

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Floyd Roland DOWNS (Private). Parents: Leil Emil DOWNS and Inez Faye SERVAES.

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G. W. DOWNS⁽²⁷²⁰⁾ was born in 1850. Parents: William W DOWNS and Mary (Polly) VIAN.

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Glenn Edward DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Vernon DOWNS and Rose Alice WALLACE.

He was divorced from Nina LAWRENCE. Children were: Terrance Lee DOWNS , Jacqueline Kaye DOWNS, William Vernon DOWNS, David Arthur DOWNS.

Children were: David Gene DOWNS Jr, Debra Sue DOWNS, Steven Gene DOWNS.

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Glenn Vernon DOWNS was born on 31 Oct 1900 in Clay Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²¹⁾ He appeared on the census on 19 May 1910 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks.⁽²⁷²²⁾ He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²³⁾ He died on 1 Nov 1962 in Leoti, Wichita Co, Ks. He was buried in Leoti Cemetery, Leoti, Ks. Also served as a casket bearer for Carnlina Hahn's funeral. Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

He was married to Rose Alice WALLACE on 17 Sep 1931. Children were: Glenn Edward DOWNS, Darrell Vernon DOWNS, Shirley Anne DOWNS, Mary Jean DOWNS, Anita Faye DOWNS, Larry Dean DOWNS.

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Glenn Vernon DOWNS (Private). Parents: Darrell Vernon DOWNS and Louise DAUGHTERY.

He was married to Lori Anne LOOPER on 4 Jun 1982.

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Horace Roland DOWNS was born on 13 Jun 1915 in Clay Co, Ks. He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²⁴⁾ He died on 5 Jan 1993. He was buried in Leoti Cemetery, Leoti, Ks. Served as a casket bearer for Carlina Hahn's funeral. Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

He was married to Ruby Ruth MCCOWN on 20 Sep 1942. Children were: Ronald Stanley DOWNS , Charles Robert DOWNS.

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Hugh Jackson DOWNS was born on 14 Oct 1935 in Scott Co, Ks. He died on 28 Oct 1935. He was buried in Immanuel Cemetery, Kearny Co, Ks. Parents: Ira Jackson DOWNS and Elsie Elizabeth (Sallie) BROWN .

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Ira Deane DOWNS (Private). Parents: Leil Emil DOWNS and Inez Faye SERVAES.

Children were: Jennifer Gail DOWNS, Nancy Marlys DOWNS.

Children were: Wendy Gail GERRITZEN, Shane Allen GERRITZEN, Misty Dawn DOWNS.

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Ira Jackson DOWNS was born on 25 Nov 1905 in Clay Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²⁵⁾ He appeared on the census on 19 May 1910 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks.⁽²⁷²⁶⁾ He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²⁷⁾ He was buried in Immanuel Cemetery, Kearny Co, Ks. Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

He was married to Elsie Elizabeth (Sallie) BROWN on 14 Jul 1934. Children were: Hugh Jackson DOWNS, Laura Louise DOWNS, Alan Sharpe DOWNS.

He was married to Dorothy JOHNSON on 1 Oct 1966.

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Ira Theopolis DOWNS⁽¹⁰⁸⁾ was born on 7 Jan 1873 in Wyndotte Cty, Kansas.⁽²⁷²⁸⁾ 1900 Asthenane, Clay Co, Ks census gives birthdate as Jan 1875, age 25 He appeared on the census on 12 Jun 1880 in Republican Twp, Clay Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷²⁹⁾ He appeared on the census on 1 Jun 1900 in Athelstane Twp, Clay Co, Ks.⁽²⁷³⁰⁾ He appeared on the census on 19 May 1910 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks.⁽²⁷³¹⁾ He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷³²⁾ He died on 6 Sep 1958 in Wichita Co, Ks. He was buried in Immanuel Cemetery, Kearny Co, Ks. Was a farmer. Following provided by Ellis source; the original is a Kearny County (KS) history. This account was authored by Laura Downs Hahn, one of Ira's daughters.
'My father, Ira Downs, was born January 7, 1873, in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Soon after he was born, his parents moved in a covered wagon to Clay County, near Industry, Kansas. He grew up in Clay County and went to school there.
On February 22, 1898, he married Permelia (Millie) Harriet Bates. They lived on a farm in that neighborhood and he farmed. On January 14, 1899, a baby boy was born. They named him Lloyd LeRoy. On October 31, 1900, another little boy, Glenn Vernon, was born. Two years later, along came a little girl, Laura May, in October of 1902. By this time, they were pretty busy farming and raising a family. On November 25, 1905, another baby boy, Ira Jackson, arrived.
It was about this time that Dad decided that he would like to come to western Kansas and take out a homestead. He and some neighbors, young men, came to western Kansas to see what they could find. As it turned out, nearly everyone filed on a claim.
My Dad's claim was in Kearny County, just south of the Wichita County line. He built a barn and said that the family could live in it while he built a house. He sent for his family to come out on the train. He met us at the depot in Leoti and took us to Mrs. Thurman's hotel. Vernon looked up at Dad and said, "This is some barn you built, Dad."
The next day, Dad took us out to the homestead. That spring was a very wet spring and, of course, the barn leaked through the cracks in the roof. Mother had a lot of bedding to hang out to dry every morning.
They drilled a well on the place but got very little water, so drilled a number of wells. All together, twenty-one wells were drilled, but never enough water to keep a head of cattle and water a garden. It cost so much to have the wells drilled that Dad bought a well drill and drilled wells for other folks to make a little money to help support his family.
He was down around Lakin, Kansas, drilling wells and staying at a hotel in Lakin. One night, the owner put another man in the same room with Dad. He awoke in the night to find this man had gotten his billfold out of his pocket and was going through it. Dad landed right on top of him and got the money back. The hotel manager heard the commotion and called the sheriff. The man was put in jail for awhile. That was all the money Dad had and he wasn't about to let it be stolen if it could be helped.
One time my father went to Lacrosse, Kansas, to work in the harvest field. Mother and us children were at home. A terrible hail storm came up and drove our few cows away. As soon as it let up hailing a little, Mother took a little wooden box and covered her head, put on a heavy coat and went after th cows so they wouldn't drift so far away from home.
We went to school at Prairie Center School southwest of our place four miles. We drove a horse with a buggy and picketed the horse out to eat grass during school hours. One day the horse got loose and went home. Well, we had a long walk and were a little late making it home.
One summer, Vernon got typhoid fever and was very sick. Then Jack got it, too. I remeber Dr. Shepard gave them a cupful of castor oil. They got over it, so I guess that was a cure-all in those days.
Lloyd was out helping turn broom corn one morning before school and a big rattlesnake bit him on the back of the leg. He was scared and ran all the way to the house. Mother had him sit down and she sucked that poisonout and spit it on the floor. It was awful looking green stuff. Dr. Shepard was out of town, so we couldn't get a doctor for two days. They came very near to losing him. He wasn't able to go to school for some time that winter. Mother's courage saved his life.
About this time, another baby boy was born, Leil Emil. Mrs. Eva McCoy and Grandma Brewer came to be with Mother when he was born, then Mrs. McCoy stayed and helped Mother for a week or two.
One day when we were at school, a big prairie fire started several miles to the north of the schoolhouse. The teacher sent us all home. The fire burned pretty close to the school house and all around it. Next day, when we went to school, it looked charred and black everywhere.
Dad decided that we couldn't make it any longer in western Kansas, so in the spring of 1911, we moved back to Clay county. Dad, Lloyd and Vernon went in a covered wagon and took our horses and cattle and drove back. Mother, Jack, Emil and I went on the train. We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Downs until Dad found a farm and leased it. He farmed wheat and corn and did much better than in western Kansas. In 1913, another little girl, Vardie Lucille, was born. Then in 1915, Horace Roland came tomake his home with us.
The year 1916, Dad decided to try western Kansas again and we found our family moving. When we reached western Kansas, we stayed in the Dan Braden house until we found a house to live in. Dad bought the Jonny Merz homestead on the south edge of Wichita County. Then he bought two frame houses and moved them onto the homestead. He joined the houses together and we lived in them. We went to school at Grand Prairie.
I remember one spring they were having a school contest in Leoti. Well, we all had to go as we were taking part in the contest. Vernon coughed all day long. When we got home that night, he sat down by the heating stove and put a blanket around himself. In no time, he was broken out all over. Mother said. "You have the measles." We got credit for giving Wichita County the measles.
The month of August 1918, our little Loie Irel was born. She didn't get to stay with us long. She passed away when she was three years old. The doctor called it spinal meningitis. She had fallen off the chair and we thought the fall hurt her back. She just lived a day or two. She was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, later called Emmanuel.
The hard winter of 1918 and 1919 came along. The snow was so deep that Dad had to make a float out of foot boards to haul hay from Leoti for the cattle. It was a terrible winter and folks lost lots of cattle.
Three of the Downs family, Laura, Vardie and Horace still live in this vicinity. Vardie lives on the home place. Jack lives near Dallas, Texas, and Emil lives at Plains, Kansas.

Flags: Census entry=N Parents: William DOWNS and Margaret Emeline ASHLOCK.

He was married to Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES on 23 Feb 1899. ⁽¹⁰⁸⁾ Marriage date of Feb 23, 1898 given by Janice Rewerts. Children were: Lloyd LeRoy DOWNS, Glenn Vernon DOWNS, Laura May DOWNS, Ira Jackson DOWNS, Leil Emil DOWNS, Vardie Lucile DOWNS, Horace Roland DOWNS, Loie Irel DOWNS.

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Jacqueline Kaye DOWNS (Private). Parents: Glenn Edward DOWNS and Nina LAWRENCE.

She was married to Ernest LeRoy EVANS Jr on 16 Jan 1973. She was divorced from Ernest LeRoy EVANS Jr. Children were: Dawn Leslie EVANS.

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James Franklin DOWNS was born on 3 Oct 1870. He appeared on the census on 12 Jun 1880 in Republican Twp, Clay Co, Ks.⁽²⁷³³⁾ He died on 10 Jan 1952. Parents: William DOWNS and Margaret Emeline ASHLOCK.

He was married to Lillie Maria MILLER on 22 Dec 1897.

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Jason Charles DOWNS (Private). Parents: Charles Robert DOWNS and Mary Janelle DOLAN.

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Jennifer Gail DOWNS (Private). Parents: Ira Deane DOWNS and Susan Ruth ATKINSON.

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Jeremiah DOWNS⁽²⁷³⁴⁾ was born in 1848 in Oh.⁽²⁷³⁵⁾ He appeared on the census on 24 Sep 1850 in Washington Twp, Mercer Co, OH. ⁽²⁷³⁶⁾ Parents: William W DOWNS and Mary (Polly) VIAN.

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Jerry DOWNS (Private). Parents: Lloyd LeRoy DOWNS and Edith PALMER.

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Jill Christine DOWNS (Private). Parents: Terrance Lee DOWNS and Cynthia Ann DUNAGAN.

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Julie Ann DOWNS (Private). Parents: Darrell Vernon DOWNS and Barbara YOUNG.

Children were: Shamber Bruce REGAN, Karsia Regan REGAN.

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Larry Dean DOWNS was born on 22 Jun 1945 in Finney co, KS. He died on 4 Mar 1966. He was buried in Leoti Cemetery, Leoti, Ks. Parents: Glenn Vernon DOWNS and Rose Alice WALLACE.

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Laura Louise DOWNS (Private). Parents: Ira Jackson DOWNS and Elsie Elizabeth (Sallie) BROWN.

She was married to Ronald Lee SHAFFER on 1 Dec 1957. Children were: Christopher Dennis SHAFFER, Kevin Alan SHAFFER, Elizabeth June SHAFFER.

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Laura May DOWNS⁽¹⁰⁸⁾ was born on 1 Oct 1901 in Industry, Clay County, Ks.⁽²⁷³⁷⁾ Birthdate given as 5 Oct 1902 in information from Orville Hahn. She appeared on the census on 19 May 1910 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷³⁸⁾ She appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks.⁽²⁷³⁹⁾ She appeared on the census on 29 Apr 1930 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷⁴⁰⁾ Living with father and mother-in-laws She died on 10 Dec 1995 in Leoti, Wichita Co, Ks. From "Pioneer Life in the Fairview Community" in "Kearny County (KS) History", attributed to Laura Downs Hahn: I did not go to school at Fairview but August did. Our school was Prairie Center. My brothers Lloyd and Vernon and I drove a horse and buggy four miles to school and one time, the horse got loose from where we had it picketed to eat grass, and went home; having no horse for the buggy, we had to walk the four miles home. Another time a big prairie fire burned around the schoolhouse, and we were all really scared, but it did not set the building on fire.
Our father used to go away to harvest around LaCrosse, Kansas. One summer while he was gone, a big hailstorm came through and drove our cattle away from home. My mother waited until it had about stopped hailing, then put a wooden box over her head and went out and brought them back.
My brother was bitten by a rattlesnake, in the fall of 1909, I velieve. Lloyd, Vernon and Dad were out turning broomcorn brush, and the snake was under a pile of brush and bit Lloyd. He was scared and ran all the way to the house. My mother sucked the poison fromthe bite with her mouth and Dad went for the doctor at Leoti, but he was out of town and did not get to our place until the next day. The doctor said that allthat saved my brother's life was Mother sucking the poison out of his leg. He was in bed and awful sick for a long time.
---provided through the courtesy of Janice Ellis.
Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

She was married to August HAHN Jr on 22 Mar 1922 in Lakin, Kearny co, Ks. ⁽¹⁰⁸⁾ Kearny County (KS) History article written by Laura Hahn gives their wedding date as August 1922. Children were: Orval LeRoy HAHN, Dorothy Maxine HAHN, Lois Elene HAHN, Dallas Duane HAHN.

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Leil Emil DOWNS (Private). Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

He was married to Inez Faye SERVAES on 20 Oct 1931. Children were: Leil Rowland DOWNS, Floyd Roland DOWNS, Elsie Ruth DOWNS, Virginia Harriett DOWNS, Wallace Eugene DOWNS , Ira Deane DOWNS.

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Leil Rowland DOWNS was born on 20 Jun 1932 in Leoti, Wichita Co, Ks. He died on 25 Jun 1932. He was buried in Immanuel Cemetery, Kearny Co, Ks. Parents: Leil Emil DOWNS and Inez Faye SERVAES.

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Lloyd LeRoy DOWNS was born on 14 Jan 1899 in Clay Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷⁴¹⁾ He appeared on the census on 1 Jun 1900 in Athelstane Twp, Clay Co, Ks.⁽²⁷⁴²⁾ He appeared on the census on 19 May 1910 in Hibbard Twp, Kearney Co, Ks. ⁽²⁷⁴³⁾ He appeared on the census on 6 Jan 1920 in Whitewoman Twp, Wichita Co, Ks.⁽²⁷⁴⁴⁾ He died on 29 Jun 1963 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co, Ks. He was buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Ks. Flags: Census entry=Y Parents: Ira Theopolis DOWNS and Permelia Harriett (Millie) BATES.

He was married to Edith PALMER in 1928. Children were: Neville DOWNS, Jerry DOWNS.

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