| John Gately Downey | |
 | |
| In office January 14, 1860 – January 10, 1862 | |
| Lieutenant | Isaac N. Quinn (1860–1861) Pablo de la Guerra (1861–1862) |
| Preceded by | Milton Latham |
| Succeeded by | Leland Stanford |
| Born | June 24, 1827 County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Died | March 1, 1894 (aged 66) Los Angeles, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Maria Guirado (d. The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Year 1862 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Monday The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California Isaac N Quinn was acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1860-1861 Pablo de la Guerra (November 29 1819 - February 5 1874 was acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1861-1862 Milton Slocum Latham ( May 23, 1827 March 4, 1882) was an American politician and served as the sixth Governor of California Amasa Leland Stanford ( March 9, 1824 June 21, 1893) was an American Tycoon, Politician and founder of Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Not to be confused with Roscommon County Michigan, United States County Roscommon (Contae Ros Comáin is a County located in central Ireland Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. 1883) Rosa V. Kelly |
| Profession | Apothecary |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
John Gately Downey (June 24, 1827 – March 1, 1894) was an Irish-American politician and Governor of California from January 14, 1860 to January 10, 1862. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Irish Americans (Gael-Mheiriceánach are citizens of the United States who can claim ancestry originating in Ireland. The Governor of California is the highest executive authority in the state government whose responsibilities include making annual "State of the State" addresses Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Year 1862 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Monday Until the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003, Downey was California's only foreign-born governor. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger ( German ˌaɐnɔlt aloʏs ˈʃvaɐtsənɛɡɐ born July 30 1947 is an Austrian American Bodybuilder, Actor Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Downey was also the first Southern Californian to assume the governorship. Southern California, or So Cal, is defined as the southern portion of the U
Contents |
Biography
Downey was born in the townland of Castlesampson, Taghmaconnell parish, County Roscommon, in central Ireland, to Denis Downey and Bridget Gately on June 24, 1827. Not to be confused with Roscommon County Michigan, United States County Roscommon (Contae Ros Comáin is a County located in central Ireland Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Castlesampson is West of the present day town of Athlone, Ireland. Athlone ( is a town that lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, Ireland. Educated in Ireland, Downey's family immigrated to the United States in 1842 at the age of 14. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Year 1842 ( MDCCCXLII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Settling in Charles County, Maryland, the Downeys joined two stepsisters who had already settled in the U. Charles County is a County in the south central portion of the U S. . However by 1844, by age 16, dwindling family finances forced Downey to halt his education and become independent. Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year He apprenticed at an apothecary in Washington, D.C. until 1846. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D For the game see 1846 (board game. Year 1846 ( MDCCCXLVI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display Downey afterwards relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a druggist. Like many who heard about the California Gold Rush, Downey decided to go West. The California Gold Rush (1848&ndash1855 began on January 24 1848 when Gold was discovered by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California The " West Coast " " Western Seaboard " or " Pacific Seaboard " are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the Western United States He stopped along the way at Vicksburg, Mississippi, then Havana, Cuba and finally New Orleans, Louisiana. Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. Havana ( IPA: aˈβana officially Ciudad de La Habana, is the Capital city, major port and leading New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana It is not clear why Downey took such an erratic route to California. By 1849, Downey had arrived in California, briefly prospecting in Grass Valley before finding a job at a drug store in San Francisco. Year 1849 ( MDCCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Grass Valley (originally Centreville) and is represented by Republican John Doolittle. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city [1] He soon moved to Los Angeles, becoming a successful businessman with interests in real estate and cattle ranching. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West It was in Los Angeles that Downey began an interest in politics, elected to the Los Angeles Common Council in the early 1850s. Events and Trends Industry Production of Steel revolutionized by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman
A Lecompton Democrat that favored slavery in the Kansas Territory, Downey was elected as a member of the lower house California State Assembly for the 1st District, serving from 1856 to 1857. The Lecompton Constitution was the second of four proposed Constitutions for the state of Kansas (it was preceded by the Topeka Constitution and followed The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Slavery in the United States began soon after English colonists first settled Virginia in 1607 and lasted until the passage of the Thirteenth The Territory of Kansas was an Organized territory of the United States that existed from May 30 1854 until January 29 1861 when Kansas became the 34th A lower house is one of two chambers of a Bicameral Legislature, the other chamber being the Upper house. The California State Assembly is the Lower house of the California State Legislature. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the In the 1859 general elections, Downey was elected Lieutenant Governor, overcoming the party split within the Democratic Party between Lecompton and Anti-Lecompton Democrats, as well as seeing off a challenge from the infant Republican Party. Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California
Governorship
Five days after being sworn in as Lieutenant Governor, Governor Milton Latham resigned after appointed himself (with the support of the State Legislature) to fill the federal Senate vacancy left by the death of David C. Broderick, who had been killed in a duel earlier in 1859. Milton Slocum Latham ( May 23, 1827 March 4, 1882) was an American politician and served as the sixth Governor of California The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives David Colbreth Broderick ( February 4, 1820 &ndash September 16, 1859) was a United States Senator and an anti- Slavery As practiced from the 11th to 20th centuries in Western societies a duel is an engagement in combat between two individuals with matched weapons in accordance with their combat [2] Downey assumed the governorship on January 14, 1860. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1860 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year starting
During his governorship, the Assembly and Senate passed the "Bulkhead Bill," a highly controversial bill heavily supported by San Francisco capitalists that would place the city's waterfront in the hands of private companies within monopolies. The California State Assembly is the Lower house of the California State Legislature. The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. Despite its support among San Francisco's wealthy, local merchants and the public alike were in staunch opposition. In a move that stunned many former wealthy supporters, Downey vetoed the Bulkhead Bill, claiming that "[I]ts provisions are not only in conflict with the constitution and the principles of natural justice, but that the measure as a whole is calculated to work irreparable injury to our commerce, internal and external, of which San Francisco is and must forever remain a metropolis. A veto, Latin for "I forbid" is used to Denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of Legislation. The Constitution of the State of California is the document that establishes and describes the duties powers structure and function of the Government of the U "[3]
Downey's veto was widely popular in both San Francisco and throughout California, marking the peak of his popularity. Shortly afterwards, Downey visited the city and was greeted as a hero. [4] However, capitalist supporters of the Bulkhead Bill never forgave the governor. During a later visit to San Francisco, Downey described a protester as a "bulkheader. " The result was a fist fight, broken up only when Downey supporters physically restrained his opponent. [5]
By the 1860 presidential election, the Democratic Party again splintered. The United States presidential election of 1860 set the stage for the American Civil War. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Anti-Lecomptons favored Stephen A. Douglas, while Lecomptons supported John C. Breckinridge. Stephen Arnold Douglas ( April 23, 1813 - June 3, 1861) was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16 1821 &ndash May 17 1875 was a lawyer U Previously part of the Lecompton faction, Downey sided with Anti-Lecomptons, supporting Douglas in his failed bid against Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln (February 12 1809 &ndash April 15 1865 the sixteenth President of the United States, successfully led his country through its greatest internal [6]
By the outbreak of the American Civil War, Downey pledged support to the Union, responding to requests by U.S. Secretary of War Simon Cameron for California troop assistance. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington 's administration Simon Cameron ( March 8, 1799 &ndash June 26, 1889) was an American politician who served as United States Secretary of However, Downey's support for the Unionist cause remained vague. According to Victorian historian Theodore H. Culture The Victorian fascination with novelty resulted in a deep interest in the relationship between modernity and cultural continuities Hittell, "Downey's unionism, it was very plain, was not of the kind by which the Union could be preserved. It meant continued submission and subserviency to slavery and the slave power, which had hitherto dominated the country while the advance of the age had outgrown it. . . It cannot be said that Downey had any special love for slavery or the slave power; on the contrary, he had to a very considerable extent broken loose of the chivalry and what was called an Anti-Lecompton Democrat; but unfortunately for himself, he was still hampered with old-time doctrines when slavery ruled unquestioned. Slavery in the United States began soon after English colonists first settled Virginia in 1607 and lasted until the passage of the Thirteenth . . "[7]
With the Civil War in its first stages by the 1861 general elections, Downey's earlier support for his veto of the Bulkhead Bill had all but evaporated. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Downey's own Democratic Party again splintered violently over slavery and unionism. Despite having turned his back to the Lecompton "Breckinridge" faction, Anti-Lecompton "Unionist" Democrats failed to renominate him during the state Democratic convention, effectively ending Downey's political career. During the election, the Republican Party capitalized on the Democratic split and won the elections, with Californians electing Leland Stanford over Breckinridge Democrat John R. McConnell and Unionist Democrat John Conness. Amasa Leland Stanford ( March 9, 1824 June 21, 1893) was an American Tycoon, Politician and founder of John R McConnell (1826&ndash1879 was the fourth attorney general of California from 1854 to 1856 John Conness ( September 22, 1821 &ndash January 10, 1909) was a first-generation Irish-American businessman who served as a U [8]
Post governorship
After his term as Governor expired in 1862, Downey returned to Southern California. Year 1862 was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Monday Southern California, or So Cal, is defined as the southern portion of the U In 1871, he helped co-found Farmers and Merchants Bank, the first successful bank Los Angeles, with Isaias W. Hellman, a banker, philanthropist and future president of Wells Fargo. Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Farmers and Merchants Bank is a historic lending institution in downtown Los Angeles California, USA, known both for its architecture and its pivotal role in the Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Isaias Warren Hellman ( October 3, 1842 - April 9, 1920) was a German-Jewish banker and Philanthropist, and a founding father Wells Fargo & Co ( is a diversified Financial services company headquartered in San Francisco California, United States with operations around the
In 1879, Downey joined some public-spirited citizens led by Judge Robert Maclay Widney, in laying the groundwork for the University of Southern California, the first university in the region. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Robert Maclay Widney ( December 23, 1838 &ndash November 14, 1929) was an American Lawyer, Judge, and a founding The University of Southern California (commonly referred to as USC, SC, Southern California, and incorrectly When Widney formed a board of trustees, he secured a donation of 308 lots of land from three prominent members of the community: Ozro W. Childs, a Protestant horticulturist; Hellman, a German-Jew; and Downey. Ozro Childs, a Protestant Horticulturalist, was a founding father of The University of Southern California. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Horticulture is the art and science of plant cultivation Horticulturists (or horticuluralists) work and conduct research in the fields of Plant propagation Jews have lived in Germany, or " Ashkenaz " at least since the early 4th century, through both periods of tolerance and spasms of The gift provided land for a campus as well as a source of endowment, the seeds of financial support for the nascent institution. A financial endowment is a Transfer of Money or Property donated to an Institution, usually with the stipulation that it be invested Downey Street on the USC campus is named after him.
In 1883, Downey, along with his wife, Maria Jesus Guirado, the daughter of a prominent Spanish gentleman of Sonora, were involved in a violent train accident at Tehachapi Pass, when their train plunged into a ravine. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Sonora is one of the 31 federal states of Mexico and is located in the northwest of the country Tehachapi Pass (elevation) is a Mountain pass in southern California in the United States. A porter pulled Governor Downey out of the burning wreckage, but Mrs. Downey's body was never found. The event plagued Downey for the remainder of his life, suffering from what was described as "nervous shock," known today as Post-traumatic stress disorder. Post traumatic stress disorder It is a severe and ongoing emotional reaction to [9]
Following the incident, a friend Frank M. Pixley, introduced him to the twenty year old Yda Hillis Addis, a new writer on Pixley's San Francisco journal The Argonaut. Frank M Pixley (January 31 1825 - 1895 was an American journalist and politician who served briefly as the Attorney General of California. Yda Hillis Addis, (born 1857 disappeared 1902 was the first American writer to translate ancient Mexican oral stories and histories into English For the building in Detroit Michigan, see " The Argonaut (Building " Although Downey was 32 years older than Addis, they became engaged to marry. When Downey's two sisters discovered the betrothal, they were not pleased. Downey was a wealthy man, if he should pass away, his wealth would shift to Addis. The sisters kidnapped Downey and put him on a boat to Ireland. Addis sued for breach of promise, but left San Francisco before the trial. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Downey later remarried to Rosa V. Kelly, of Los Angeles.
Downey died in 1894 at his home in Los Angeles. Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He was originally interred at Old Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles; after the cemetery was removed, Downey was reburied at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma California is an American Roman Catholic cemetery operated by the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Legacy
Downey, California is named in John G. Downey is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County California, United States, 21 km (13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Downey's honor; Downey's land company owned the land that was subdivided to create the town in the 1870s.
During Downey's governorship, construction began on the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The California State Capitol building sits in Sacramento California at the west end of Capitol Park Also during his governorship, the Pony Express began service to San Francisco, and the Central Pacific Railroad was formed. The Pony Express was a fast Mail service crossing the North American continent from St The Central Pacific Railroad was the California-to-Utah portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America [10]
References
- ^ John G. Downey. California State Library (2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
- ^ The Last Duel in San Francisco History. Anchor Steam Brewing Company (2002). Retrieved on 2007-07-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
- ^ Theodore H. Hittell [1885] (1897). History of California, Vol IV. San Francisco, CA: N. J. Stone & Company.
- ^ Theodore H. Hittell [1885] (1897). History of California, Vol IV. San Francisco, CA: N. J. Stone & Company.
- ^ John G. Downey. California State Library (2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
- ^ Theodore H. Hittell [1885] (1897). History of California, Vol IV. San Francisco, CA: N. J. Stone & Company.
- ^ Theodore H. Hittell [1885] (1897). History of California, Vol IV. San Francisco, CA: N. J. Stone & Company.
- ^ Election History for the state of California. JoinCalifornia (4 Sep 1861). Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
- ^ John G. Downey. City of Downey. Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
- ^ California Governor John G. Downey. National Governors Association (2004). Retrieved on 2007-07-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre.
External links
- Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles Check dated 1874 signed by California Governor John G. Downey
- John G. Downey biography at the California State Library
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Walkup | Lieutenant Governor of California January 9, 1860–January 14, 1860 | Succeeded by Isaac N. Quinn |
| Preceded by Milton Latham | Governor of California January 14, 1860–January 10, 1862 | Succeeded by Leland Stanford |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Downey, John Gately |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Governor of California |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 24, 1827 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | County Roscommon, Ireland |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 1, 1894 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Los Angeles |
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