Jared Downer Biography, Tuscola County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1018-1019


This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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Jared Downer, who was a son of Simon, also a native of Vermont, came to 
Wayne County, this State, about 1834, and was one of the pioneers of 
that section of country. There were two children in his family, the 
other member beside our subject being Huldah, who married E. H. Roberts 
and resides in Wayne County. Jared, who forms the subject of this 
sketch, was born January 9, 1842, in Wayne County, Mich., and was 
reared on a farm, assisting his father in clearing and cultivating his 
land until he reached the age of nineteen years.

   In August, 1861, our subject ran away from home and enlisted in 
Company F, Fifth Michigan Infantry, being mustered in at Ovid, Clinton 
County. The regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac and 
participated in the first engagement at Williamsburg, the siege of 
Yorktown, battle of Fair Oaks, and the seven days' fight. Mr. Downer 
was taken prisoner at Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, and was kept at Libby 
Prison two weeks, and at Belle Isle three weeks. Thence he was 
exchanged and returned to his regiment at Harrison Landing in August, 
1862, remaining with it until the battle of Chantilly, when lie was 
sent to the hospital and never joined the regiment. After spending 
about five months at the West Philadelphia Hospital he was discharged 
for general disability and returned to his home.

   Mrs. Downer, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wilcox, was born in 
England, July 16, 1848, and is the daughter of George and Ellen Wilcox. 
This union has been blessed with nine children, namely: Ellen C., who 
married Sylvester Holton; Mary A., the wife of Levi Allen; George 
Tyler, who was united in marriage with Daisy Longstreet; Edna; Hulda; 
Truman; Lawrence; Erma and Siddey. In 1884 Mr. Downer came to the 
village of Vassar, being unable to perform any hard labor on account of 
disabilities resulting from exposure during his army service. He 
receives a pension of $30 per month. He is a member of the W. T. 
Sherman Post, No. 410, G. A. R., and is a Republican in his political 
belief. For twelve years he has been called upon to occupy the position 
of Justice of the Peace, and is also a Notary Public.




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