Romelia J. Downen 1866 - 1921
Romelia was the son of Timothy Downen (1830-1927) and Rachel Mills (1831-1866). He was born 21 April 1866 in Posey County, Indiana, USA.
He married Mary Eva Utley (1867-1955) on 27 July 1884 in Posey County. They had the following children:
Herman Downen (1886-1979)
Timothy Downen (1888-1978)
Sylvia Downen (1890-1987)
Sarah Downen (1893-1994)
Grace Downen (1895-1981)
Clyde Downen (1900-1972)
Alma Downen (1903-1999)
The first census that Romelia showed up in was the 1870 one, in Robinson Township of Posey County. His mother Rachel died in 1866 and his father remarried Mary E. Keeling, who is found with much of the rest of the family in the 1870 census. For some reason Romelia was staying with the Thomas Mills family (farther down on the same census page from his family) and he was erroneously listed by the census taker as a Mills. Thomas was a maternal uncle of his and Thomas's wife Lucretia was a first cousin of Romelia's father Timothy. (census image here) (View neighbors in html)
Romelia was actually living at home as of the 1880 census in Robinson Township. His older brother Joseph had gotten married and had two children, but then Joseph's wife Ellen died and Joseph moved back in along with his infant daughter, although his infant son was staying with relatives in Gallatin County, Illinois. (census image here)
Romelia married Mary Eva Utley in 1884. Between 1886 and 1890 the family moved to Gallatin County, Illinois; they may have also lived in White County, Illinois briefly as their second son Timothy was apparently born in White County, but all the children after him were born in Gallatin County. The 1900 census found them in Ridgway Township of Gallatin County, with five out of their seven children (Clyde and Alma were born after the 1900 census). (census image here)
Between 1900 and 1910 Sylvia married Edward Moye and moved to Asbury Township. The rest of the family showed up in the 1910 census, still in Ridgway Township. (census image here)
By 1920, out of all the children, only Clyde and Alma were still at home. Timothy had married Lela Armstrong by 1914 and was living in Asbury Township. Sarah had married George Luther and was also living in Asbury Township. Grace married William Green in 1917 and was living in Eagle Creek Township. (census image here)
Romelia died on 8 September 1921 in Ridgway Township and was buried in Old Cottonwood Cemetery, Cottonwood, Asbury Township, Gallatin County, Illinois, USA. Mary Eva lived until 1955, when she died and was laid to rest next to him at Old Cottonwood Cemetery.
Other Links
Romelia Downen page at Find A Grave
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