Stephen Wheeler Downey

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.

Early life Downey was born in Westernport, Maryland on July 25, 1839, a son of Owen Dorsey Downey and Elizabeth L. (Powell) Downey. He was educated locally, and studied law with Francis Thomas of Cumberland, Maryland in preparation for a career as an attorney.

Military career On 31 October 1861, Downey enlisted in the Union Army for the American Civil War, joining 3rd Maryland Infantry Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade as a private. He was promoted to first lieutenant in January 1862, lieutenant colonel in March 1862, and colonel in September 1862. In March 1862, Downey was in command of Union troops in Romney, Virginia (now West Virginia). Press coverage of Downey's unsuccessful bill began after he obtained permission to have printed in the record his remarks in favor of his proposed law, which was revealed to be a 15 page prose poem, Argument of Hon. Stephen W. Downey. From 1897 until his death he served as prosecuting attorney for Albany County.

Downey married Evangeline Victoria Owen (1853–1937) in Laramie, Wyoming in 1872 and they had ten children.

The Downey Family Papers (1866–1997) are located at the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center Archives.