Amador County Biographies

R. C. DOWNS 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Was born in Bristol, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 19th of April, 1828, where he passed his 
early years. At the age of eighteen he went to New York City, where he was employed as a clerk in a 
dry goods establishment. On the 25th of January, 1849, he sailed from the latter city in the ship 
Tahmaroo, Captain Richardson, master; and on the first of the following July, landed in San Francisco. 
He at once left for the mines, his first location being on the north fork of the American river, where he 
remained until the Fall of that year. He then removed to Amador creek, and was engaged in the 
same business until the following Spring. From 1850 until 1859 he was engaged in merchandising at 
Amador, Rancheria, Sutter Creek and Volcano, in company with Levi Hanford, having establishments 
at each of those places. Mr. Hanford had charge of the stores, Mr. Downs generally remaining in the 
city purchasing and forwarding goods. They were eminently successful, the firm of Hanford & Downs 
becoming well known over the State. From 1860 to 1873 he was part owner and superintendent of the 
Lincoln quartz mine at Sutter Creek, Leland Stanford being a partner. He made the mine a paying 
institution. The succeeding four years he spent in traveling, making several trips to the Eastern States, 
as well as traveling extensively through California. In the Summer of 1877, in connection with J. M. 
Hanford, he opened a mine near Volcano, now bearing his name, which they have worked successfully 
ever since. Mr. Downs is also owner of the Golden Eagle mine, near Sutter Creek, which he is now 
prospecting. He was elected to the Assembly of the State Legislature in 1879-80, an office he filled to the 
entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has recently built a fine residence at Sutter Creek, where 
he intends making his permanent home. He was married in his native town, in October, 1856, and 
has three sons aged respectively eighteen, sixteen and thirteen years. 

History of Amador, California With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 
of its Prominent Men and PioneersOakland, California, Thompson and West, 
1881.