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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CHARLES S. DOWNING.
Charles S. Downing, vice-president of the Central National Bank of Topeka, and one of the best known business men of this city, was born in Iowa in 1868 and is a son of Andrew Downing.

Andrew Downing was a prominent citizen of Boone, Iowa, and was the first postmaster there. He also served as county treasurer. During the Civil War he was a captain in the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, making a fine record.

Charles S. Downing was educated in the common and high schools at Kansas City and then engaged with his father in a real estate business there. In 1891 he entered the office of Dun & Company as a clerk and remained four years with the company as manager of the Kansas district. Since January, 1900, he has been vice-president of the Central National Bank. He is also interested in other important business enterprises, being treasurer of the American Oil & Gas Company and also treasurer of the Franklin Oil Company. His identification with these large corporations indicate his business capacity.

In January, 1902, Mr. Downing was married to Juanita Oldham, who was born at Kansas City, Missouri, and they have two children, viz.: William, born June 6, 1893, and Mignon, born March 8, 1898.

Fraternally, Mr. Downing is a Mason, and is past master of Siloam Lodge, No. 225, A. F. & A. M. He is also one of the directors of the Topeka Club. Mr. Downing is one of the city’s wide-awake and progressive men, active in support of public enterprises, a factor in shaping business and social life, and a citizen whose influence is felt on every side. In manner he is unostentatious and courteous and he is held in very high esteem. In financial circles his careful, conservative attitude is known and it adds strength to the bank with which he is so prominently identified.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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