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Downey Family papers, 1863-1997

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Downey Family
Title
Downey Family papers
Dates
1863-1997 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.89 cubic ft. (11 boxes + oversize)
Collection Number
10555
Summary
Stephen Wheeler Downey and Eva Owen were married in 1872 in Laramie, Wyoming, and had ten children together. Biographical information, writings of family members, photographs, and business records of mining companies and law firms comprise the collection, which covers a century of Laramie history.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

Stephen Wheeler Downey (1839-1902) was born in Maryland and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He served in the northern army during the Civil War, attaining the rank of colonel. He married during this time and had two daughters. In 1869 S.W. Downey followed a brother, William O. Downey, to Laramie. His wife died shortly after their arrival, and he married Evangeline Victoria Owen in 1872. Downey practiced law in Laramie and served in the state legislature. He drafted the bill creating the University of Wyoming; and he also attempted to develop several mines in the area.

Eva Owen Downey (1853-1937) was born in England and traveled to Salt Lake City as an infant. In 1868 her mother brought Eva, her sister Etta, and her son William east to Laramie, Wyoming, where they settled. Eva and Stephen Downey had ten children together, including Stephen Corlett (1873-1934), who became a lawyer and partner in his father’s practice; June Etta (1875-1932), who was a professor at the University of Wyoming and became nationally prominent in the field of psychology research; Sheridan (1884-1961), who pursued a political career as a liberal in California; and Alice (1892-1969), who acted as the historian of the family.

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Content Description

The collection contains biographical information about various family members; writings of family members, including poetry, moral and philosophical treatises, and publications on family history; a diary from 1869-1870; ephemera of Laramie social clubs, Laramie Jubilee celebrations, and the University of Wyoming; business records of the Keystone and other mines in the Albany County area; correspondence of Downey’s law practice; photographs of the family, Laramie, the university, and mining operations; and a scrapbook.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Downey Family Papers, 1866-1997, Collection Number 10555, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Alternative Forms Available

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~158~158.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by the Downey family at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The papers were received from Alice Downey Nelson in 1948 and 1960; Mrs. John A. Hill in 1962; Diana K. Bowen in 1998; Katherine Teetor from 1999-2010; and Laramie Plains Museum from 2019-2022.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by D.C. Thompson in August 2003 and updated by Matt Francis in September 2010 and Jamie Greene in July 2021 and May 2024.

Select materials from this collection were digitized by Kathy Gerlach in 2016.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gold mines and mining--Wyoming.
  • Mines and mineral resources--Wyoming.
  • Wyoming--History--1890-1918.
  • Wyoming--History--1919-1945.
  • Wyoming--History--1946-1999.
  • Wyoming--History--To 1889.

Personal Names

  • Downey, Eva Owen (Evangeline Victoria).
  • Downey, Sheridan, 1884-1961.
  • Downey, Stephen Corlett.
  • Owen, W. O. (William Octavius), 1859-1947.

Corporate Names

  • Laramie Jubilee Days.
  • University of Wyoming.

Geographical Names

  • Douglas Creek Mining District (Wyo.)
  • Keystone Mine (Albany County, Wyo.)
  • Laramie (Wyo.)

Occupations

  • Lawyers--Wyoming--Laramie.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Downey, June E. (June Etta), 1875-1932.
    • Downey, Stephen W. (Stephen Wheeler), 1839-1902.
    • Nelson, Alice Downey.

Processed by D.C. Thompson
2010

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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