Downey, John Gately, approximately 1827-1894

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1827-06-24

Death 1894-03-01

Biographical notes:

Downey served as governor of California, 1860-1862.

From the description of ALS, 1858 December 24 : Los Angeles, to Hon. J.W. Denver, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. (Copley Press, J S Copley Library). WorldCat record id: 16837960

Farmer, real estate broker, banker, 7th Governor of California (1860-1862). Downey came to Los Angeles and opened only drugstore between San Diego and San Francisco (1850). Became very wealthy, invested in land, eventually became a banker. The city of Downey is named for him. Eugene M. Sanford came to California and purchased 500 acres from Downey (1867). He raised grain and cattle on his Los Angeles County ranch. Sanford was appointed Brigadier General of the 1st Brigade of the California National Guard partly as a result of his friend Downey's influence with the Governor of California (1876). Sanford was later nominated by the Democratic Party as their candidate for the United States Senate (1879). Item in collection pertains to Downey's support of Sanford for head of First Brigade of National Guard.

From the description of John G. Downey letter, 1876. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35551604