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Jacob Downing

1830 – 1907

Union United States Army officer

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About Jacob Downing

Lived 1830 – 1907 (aged 76–77).

Jacob Downing (April 1830 – 1907) was a major in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was present at the infamous Sand Creek Massacre as a subordinate of Colonel John Chivington. After the war ended, he played a part in the development of Colorado and in particular the city of Denver.

Early life Jacob Downing was born in Albany, New York in April 1830, the youngest of 11 children of Jacob Downing Sr. (1785–1858) and Jane (née Winne) Downing. Downing Sr. was, according to one source, the owner of several farms and a successful entrepreneur. At 14, he went to work as a clerk at the Albany City Bank. In 1850, he was badly injured aboard the steamer Alabama when the boiler burst. during the Colorado Gold Rush, or in 1860. In 1860, he was elected a judge of the municipal court.

A civic leader, he was one of those who pushed for parks in the community, and originated the bill that led to the establishment of City Park. After his death in 1907, his widow converted the building into the Downing Home for Old People.

Personal life

On November 1, 1871, he married Caroline Rosecrans in Glen Falls, New York.

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Important facts

Born
1830
Birth century
Died
1907
Education
The Albany Academy

People in Jacob Downing's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jacob Downing's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jacob Downing?

Union United States Army officer

When was Jacob Downing born?

Jacob Downing was born in 1830.

When did Jacob Downing die?

Jacob Downing died in 1907.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jacob Downing

· Wikidata: Q6118540

· DBpedia: Jacob Downing

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jacob Downing. https://biography.guide/jacob-downing/

MLA: "Jacob Downing." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jacob-downing/.

Chicago: "Jacob Downing." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jacob-downing/.

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