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Stephen Wheeler Downey

Stephen Wheeler Downey
Stephen Wheeler Downey (Wyoming Congressman).jpg
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
In office
1893
1895
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wyoming Territory's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881
Delegate
Preceded by William Wellington Corlett
Succeeded by Morton Everel Post
Wyoming Territory Auditor
In office
1877–1879
Wyoming Territory Treasurer
In office
1872–1875
Personal details
Born (1839-07-25)July 25, 1839
Westernport, Maryland
Died August 3, 1902(1902-08-03) (aged 63)
Albany County, Wyoming
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Evangeline Victoria Owen (1853–1937)
Children 10 (including Sheridan Downey and Dr. June Etta Downey
Profession Attorney
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861-1863
Rank Colonel
Unit 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade
Battles/wars

Civil War


Civil War

Stephen Wheeler Downey (July 25, 1839 – August 3, 1902) was a lawyer and politician in Wyoming. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, he was an early white settler of Wyoming, and served as its Treasurer, Auditor, and Delegate to Congress. After statehood, Downey continued to serve in local and state office, including Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives.

Downey was a founder of the University of Wyoming, and the longtime president of its board of trustees.

Downey was born in Westernport, Maryland on July 25, 1839. He was educated locally in preparation for a career as a lawyer, and then began to study law.

in 1861, Downey interrupted his studies and enlisted as a private in the 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. He later received a commission and advanced through the ranks to lieutenant colonel as second in command of the regiment. He was discharged after the Battle of Harpers Ferry due to wounds he sustained in the fighting, and was promoted to colonel at his discharge.

After leaving the Army, Downey completed his law studies; he was admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C. in 1863.

In 1869, he moved to the Territory of Wyoming and established a law practice in Laramie. He served as the prosecuting attorney of Albany County, Wyoming in 1869 and 1870. He also opened a survey office in Laramie and was assigned to six government survey contracts between 1870 and 1873. He was elected as a member of the Wyoming Territorial Council in 1871, 1875, and 1877, as treasurer of the territory from 1872 to 1875, and as auditor of the territory from 1877 to 1879.


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