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ot of Cabfornia, was born in Cas On June 24, 1827. His paren se ar cestors were distinguished lea Veber fields of human endeaver, 1. ely youth of the men that afterwa

n the secnes of his birth lay and t Ad by the masters. The fields and e same made famous in song and st

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In the national schools of his native land he got a fair rudimentary education, and what was probably of more importance in the end he learned to work with his hands, familiarizing himself with agriculture and the industries common to his people. At the age of fourteen he came to America, whither the other members of his family had preceded him. In Charles county, Maryland, he studied Latin under John Corcoran, an illustrious teacher. The lad applied himself with marked industry and made great progress in his work, learning, also, the habit of application under the tutelage and example of the eminent instructor. At the age of sixteen years young Downey was forced to abandon his school and go forth to battle for his livelihood. This was a grave disappointment to his family, who had hoped he would finish his studies and become a priest, as many of his family had taken up that calling. It is doubtful, however, whether so robust and ambitious a nature, endowed with rare gifts of business management and the genius of organizing and directing men, would ever have been satisfied with the more circumscribed lines of the priesthood. After leaving school the young man soon found employment at the nation's capital, where he studied pharmacy with John F. Callan, one of the greatest apothecaries of Washington. Young Downey remained with Callan until 1846. He next went to Cincinnati, where he soon became the partner in the drug business of John Darling, a Scotchman and a leading apothecary of Ohio's metropolis. He was not destined to remain long in the older settlements, however, for his adventurous spirit longed to seek new fields of larger opportunities. When the lure of gold led men to follow the star of empire in its westward course Downey was one of the sturdy group that made the tour to better his fortunes. Unlike many others, whose ambition was to make quick fortunes in the mines, Downey made the trip with a view to making his money from the soil and the people. He had faith that California was destined to be a stable commonwealth, and his knowledge of agricultural values stood him in hand when he reached the west. He was in no particular hurry to reach his destination, so he stopped for a time in Vicksburg, where he was connected in business with Oliver Woodman, a gentleman of culture and business attainments.

Fortunately for the young man all his associates in business and in life had been men of good character and attainments. Every influence that surrounded him was uplifting and helpful. This fact, together with his innate desire for square dealing, developed his character along strong lines, so that when he came into the excitement and turmoil of the Golden West where many men fell, temptation did not lure him from the path of rectitude.

Leaving Vicksburg he crossed the isthmus, remaining at Havana and New Orleans for some time before he ventured farther. In 1849 he landed in California with ten dollars. He was not idle long, for he knew the drug business thoroughly and was hired at once by Henry Johnson & Company, who were on Dupont street, San Francisco. Observing an opportunity to better himself, by a stroke of good luck he made the purchase of a stock of drugs at about twenty per cent below cost, and took his purchase to Los Angeles, going by schooner and consuming three weeks in the voyage. At