Ruth Ann McKinnis 1870 - 1960
Ruth McKinnis Downen
Ruth Downen
James & Ruth Downen Memorials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale © 2011 by Christopher Mills
Ruth was the daughter of Willis McKinnis (1839-1923) and Dicey Jane Gwaltney McKinnis (ca. 1843-(1871-1875)). She was born on 29 January 1870 in Posey County, Indiana, USA.
She married James Downen on 24 September 1891 in Posey County. They had the following children:
Iva Downen (1900-1900)
James Estel Downen (1903-1982)
The first census that Ruth showed up in was the 1870 one, in Center Township of Posey County. (census image here)
Ruth's mother Dicey died between 1871 and 1875. Looking at the family in the 1880 census, one sees Ruth's father Willis, her stepmother Louisa Jane Ramsey Pitts McKinnis, her siblings James, Sarah and William; her half siblings Dicy and Edith; a 20 year old named John Ramsey who does not appear to be a brother of Ruth's stepmother Louisa but who may be a nephew or cousin of Louisa (listed as a farm hand); and a 14 year old named Cornelius Lambeth who was also listed as a farm hand. The household must have been quite busy. (census image here)
After her marriage to James Downen, the couple moved to Gallatin County, Illinois, where they were found in the 1900 census in Ridgway Township, along with a 20 year old hired hand named William Harrelson. (census image here)
By the 1910 census James and Ruth had a six year old son, James Estel, but were still living in Ridgway Township. (census image here)
James & Ruth Downen Memorials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale © 2011 by Christopher Mills
By 1920 their son James Estel was now 16, and James and Ruth were just a bit older as well. (census image here)
In 1930 James and Ruth were living in Los Angeles, California, with a 25 year old boarder named Gertrude Higginson. Their son James had married a woman named Maxine Gray and was living in San Francisco at the same time; James Jr. and Maxine had a son (also named James) but I have been unable to find him in that census. In any event, both James and Ruth were still alive when their grandson James was born. (census image here)
James died at the age of 65 in 1936 and was buried in Forest Lawn Glendale. Ruth Ann lived long enough to see the birth of three great-grandsons. She died on 24 September 1960 and is buried next to James Sr. at Forest Lawn.
Other Links
Ruth Ann McKinnis Downen page at Find A Grave
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