ASHBEL FAIRCHILD DOWNS, an active young attorney of the Uniontown bar and at present the efficient treasurer of Fayette county, was born at New Geneva, Fayette county, Penna, September 7, 1854, and is a son of David Downs, whose biography appears in this volume. His mother's maiden name was Eleanor Thompson, born in County Down, Ireland.
A F Downs attended the public schools of his native county, and at the age of seventeen years he entered the State university of West Virginia at Morgantown, and was a student there for three years. While at college he displayed marked ability in literature and oratory, taking three prizes, the last of which was the Regents' prize for the best declaimer. Afterward he taught several school terms and in 1876 he entered the Philadelphia school of elocution and oratory, and was graduated from there with class honors in 1877. (It may be well to remember that this is the only chartered school of its kind in the United States.) He has given many readings from Shakespeare and other poets, and has taken high rank as a recitationist. The late professor J W Shoemaker has over his own signature, spoken in most unbounded praise of Mr Downs' talent as a delineator of the passions.
A F Downs became a student at law in the office of the Honorable C E Boyle, and was admitted to the bar of Fayette county in August, 1880, and has been successfully practicing in the courts of the county much of the time ever since.
A F Downs has always adhered to the long established doctrines and principles of the democratic party, and has been most active and zealous in the support of that organization, particularly in the way of public address, having earned the deserved reputation of being one of the best political speakers in Western Pennsylvania.
He showed exceptional moral courage during the great coke strike of 1886, boldly taking the platform and presenting through the region the grievances and demands of the strikers, while other, with calculating shrewdness, were watching the direction of the wind. And he is credited with having done more to achieve the victory won by the workingmen than any other one man, and when the passions of the hour had subsided, his moderation and fairness and his great influence in preventing disorder were greatly acknowledged.
In 1886 Mr Downs received 2,171 votes at the democratic primaries for the nomination of district attorney, receiving next to the highest vote. The nomination to the same office at the next election was conceded to him, but he became the candidate on the regular Democratic ticket in 1887 for county treasurer, and was elected in a hotly contested campaign, in which most of the candidates on the same ticket were defeated. He has executed the duties of his office with all fidelity to the State and county, enforcing claims due in a way that to some seems severe, but which was demanded by his oath of office.
In obedience to that oath, Mr Downs knows no fear, favor, sect or party, and those of a domineering, dictatorial, scheming or greedy spirit have found him a rock in their pathway. They have at times vented their spleen and disappointment in harsh criticism, but have not injured him among honest and right thinking men.
He displayed a talent for literary work early in life, which he has since cultivated, and at one time was offered a place in the list of lecturers in a leading lyceum bureau. His forthcoming book entitled "Heroes and Heroic Deeds or Uncrowned Kings," now in the hands of his publishers, the Franklin Printing Company of Philadelphia, will in addition to a new matter, include some of her former productions: Notably his "Robert Emmet," which has been highly recommended by such men as the Hon James G Blaine and the Hon Chauncey Black.
Mr Downs is a married man whose family consists of a wife and two boys.
He married Fannie Fettie in 1887 in Monongalia Co, WV.
In 1930 he was listed in the Kanawha County Infirmary, Kanawha Co, WV.