The subject of this sketch, Morton E. Downing, is the superintendent of one of the most important industries of LaSalle county--the mining and shipping of sand for glass manufacture.

Mr. Downing was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, January 12, 1868, and is of Scotch origin. The family, however, have long been identified with America, having settled in Ohio at the time of their emigration to this country. Don E. Downing, the father of Morton E., is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born some sixty-six years ago, and is now a resident of Marshall county, Indiana, working at the carpenter�s trade at Bourbon, that state. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Cassell, are the parents of the following named children: Mary, who married Joseph Harris, resides in Bartholomew county, Indiana; Emma, wife of Thomas Parrish, resides in Durand, Missouri; Tamar is the wife of Harry Compton, of Wedron, Illinois; Morton E., the subject of this sketch; Josie, wife of Tyde Deardorf, of Bourbon, Indiana; and Julia, wife of Philip Baugher, also of Bourbon.

Morton E. Downing, as he grew up, spent some time working at the carpenter�s trade, under his father�s instructions, and some time working in a machine shop; but on leaving his parental home at the age of twenty-one he took a position as stationary engineer of at Millington, Illinois. From that place he went to Aurora, this state, where he filled a s similar position in the Aurora Chemical Works, and from there came to his present location at Wedron. Here he had charge of the engine at the works of the Wedron White Sand Company until 1896, when he was made foreman, and afterward superintendent, the position he now holds. His continuance in the service of this company and his promotion by them is ample evidence of his ability and faithfulness.

Mr. Downing was married in McHenry county, Illinois, in the town of Woodstock, June 21, 1897, to Miss Effie Worden. They have an only child, Nora, born September, 1898.

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Obituary of Granddaughter: Vina HODGES KOELZER

ODESSA, TX -- Vina HODGES KOELZER, 72, of Odessa, born Aug. 22, 1931, in Tampa, Fla., to Giles Benjamin and Nora Lowanza Downing Hodges, passed away Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. Mrs. Koelzer moved to Odessa in 1994 from Arizona. She was a Retired Nurses Aide and a devoted Christian and active church member of Belmont Baptist Church.

She is survived by daughters, Dolly Kolb of Haughton, La., and Shirley Marie Smith of Arkansas; sons, John Michael Richardson of Monticello, Ark., Wade Richardson of Arlington, Texas, and Joe Benefield Jr. of Buckeye, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren including Cara Gill of Big Spring; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Velma Pardo of Tampa, Fla., Vivian Hodges of Charlotte, N.C., and Vera Webb of Asheville, N.C.; brother, John Hodges of Land-O-Lakes, Fla.; son-in-law, Mac Statham of Big Spring, Texas; sister-in-Christ, Esther Class from Belmont Baptist Church; and best friend, Sulema Chavez.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Joe Benefield Sr. and Michael Koelzer; and daughter, Melody Ann Statham. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at Belmont Baptist Church with the Reverend Bryan S. Saffle officiating. Burial will be private at a later time.

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1st Generation

Morton Elias DOWNING was born January 12, 1868 in Elizabethtown, Bartholomew County, Indiana and died August 1, 1939 in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida2. He married Effie Eslie WORDEN June 21, 1897 in Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois. She was born September 13, 1870 in Antioch, Lake County, Illinois and died February 1957 in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, daughter of Charles B. WORDEN and Lestina Direxa ORVIS5.

2nd Generation (Children)

3rd Generation (Grandchildren)

Elizabeth "Beth" Effie ROGERS was born December 1, 1941 in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. She married George Myron RHAMY February 14, 1963 in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. He was born September 9, 1943 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.