Gen. Thomas J. Downen, Sr. – Pueblo Chieftain - April 19, 1922 – Gen. Thos. Downen Answers Last Call – Thomas J. Downen, Sr., prominent real estate man, and one of Pueblo's best known citizens, died Tuesday evening at St. Mary's Hospital after an illness of several weeks. The funeral will be held under Masonic auspices Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the T.G. McCarthy parlors. Thomas Jefferson Downen was born in Industry, Ill., August 18, 1844. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the 78th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was in active service until the battle of Chickamauga, where he was shot in the right wrist, his hand remaining partially crippled. He came to Colorado in 1872 and located near Rocky Ford, where he soon became prominent as an early pioneer and was one of the builders of the first irrigation ditch in that locality. He was married October 19, 1875 to Miss Susie McCullom. He came to Pueblo in 1879 and opened a real estate office in 1882, remaining in that business until a short time before his death. Always active in the affairs of the Pueblo Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, he served as commander of the department of Colorado and Wyoming, and because of this service received the courtesy title of general, by which he was commonly known. General Downen was always actively concerned in public movements for the benefit and advancement of the community. He was a faithful member of the school board of District No. 1, and a valuable supporter of the various commercial organizations of the city. He gave special service to the YMCA and as chairman of the board was largely instrumental in obtaining the site and constructing the present building on Eighth Street. He is survived, in addition to his wife, by four children: Donald B. Downen of Los Angeles; John M. Downen, superintendent of Clayton College, Denver; Mrs. Stephen Breen of Denver; and Thomas J. Downen, Jr. of this city. In a long life of active service for the nation, the state and the city, General Downen was one of Pueblo's most valuable and most respected citizens.

Son of Johnson Downen (1805-1855) and Hicksy Bowden Downen (1807-1867)