Stephen Wheeler Downey was born on July 25, 1839 in Westernport, Maryland. After serving briefly as a lieutenant colonel in the Civil War, he resigned his commission to study law. In 1869 he moved to Laramie where he continued to practice law. Active in politics and the Republican Party, Downey served in numerous offices and positions including prosecuting attorney of Albany County, Territorial Council, territorial delegate to Congress, state House of Representatives, Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming, and member of the state Constitutional Convention. He was Territorial Treasurer from 1872 to 1875 and Territorial Auditor from 1877 to 1879.

Downey died in Denver on August 3, 1902 and is buried in Laramie.

Additional Resources

•  Downey Family papers, 1866-1997, Collection Number 10555, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
•  Stephen Wheeler Downey memorial, FindAGrave.com
•  Stephen W. Downey, Deputy US Surveyor, biography, BLM
•  Lt Col Stephen W. Downey, military biography, Antietem on the Web
•  Stephen Wheeler Downey, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress