S., who is cashier of the Bank of Woodland; Mary A. and Cassie B. Mr. Craig's fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. JOHN G. DOWNEY. Wherever men go forth to build cities and states, wherever they achieve greatness and honor in the vast empire of human industry there is the necessity of leadership. Particularly is this true of the Golden West and of all states where the early struggles of the pathfinders were more or less hindered by lax morals and chaotic social conditions. California is a pre-eminent example of the righting of social delinquencies after an era of disorder such as caused the organizing of vigilance committees and the administration of justice by the rough processes of mining camps and public-square meetings. But California was peculiarly fortunate during her troublous eras, for she seemed to produce sturdy men of action' and honor who grasped the situation with firmness and directed the affairs of state with wisdom. Not only did such men as the immortal Thomas Starr King thunder the lessons of right living from the pulpit, not only did such editors as James King of William rouse the people to action by the power of pen and type, but men like Governor Downey held back the cohorts of corruption by giving the people strong and honest administrations in the hour of need. The story of the lives of the founders is always interesting, for their achievements give faith in the power of our fellow men, affording an illustrious example to the youth of the land, inspiring the belief that what man has done man can do. The particular charm that dwells in the story of Governor John G. Downey's life is the fact that he came to America a young Irish lad, descended from scholarly ancestors, carved his fortune from the opportunities at hand, crossed the isthmus in the days of the Argonauts and helped to the utmost of his superb abilities to build California into a great state. Beginning his career as a young man amid the excitement and temptations of speculation, he ever preserved that coolness of judgment and those Christian virtues that make his name revered by the younger generation, for he was beloved of the people, who knew his worth and have preserved the story of his life. John G. Downey, the fourth governor of California, was born in Castle Sampson, county Roscommon, Ireland, on June 24, 1827. His parents were Dennis and Bridget Downey, whose ancestors were distinguished leaders of their fellows not only in the higher fields of human endeavor, but on the field of contest as well. The early youth of the man that afterward had an important part to play far from the scenes of his birth lay amid the inspiring natural scenery immortalized by the masters. The fields and brooks where the lad played were the same made famous in song and story by Burns, Moore and Goldsmith, and by such orators as the illustrious Henry Grattan. He started in life amid influences that stirred partiotism. and chivalry. ts at ha fortuna e outing her troublens eras, Den of action and honor who grasped ered the Wes f state with wisdom. ortal Theme Str King thunder the mon, not el end such editors as J pe to action by the power of pen and ty cev bold back the Cons of corruption by nest dm nistrats in the hour of need. the founders is ah.ays interesting, for the e power of our few men, affording an il by the youth at the land, misprong the belief that what n. î. Homer chana fia dwel's in the my of Governor Jchu. Liste act that he came to America a young Irish Ind. the utm * ginn'); t roan sehour'y ancestors, carved his fortune from the opp ›rt de isthmus m the days of the Argonauts and helpe abilities to build California into a great state. ung man amid the excitement and tempratio: served that coolness of judgment and those Ch bis rame revered by the younger generation. fe who knew his worth and have preserved the e . he ever Cues that malè G. Downey, e fourth governor of California, was born in son, county Roscommon, Ireland, on June 24, 1827. His part ans and Brid, Downey, whose ancestors were distinguished le er fellows not only in the higher fields of human endeavor, t of contest as well. The early youth of the man that aftery *tant part to plov tar from the scenes of his birth lay amid d scenery in mortalized by the masters. The fields I played were the same made famous in song and Goldsmith, and by such orators as the illust. in life amid influences that stirred part.. |