Frank Benjamin Downs, the son of Richard George Downs and Sarah Latter, was born December 31, 1875 in Ashland, Ohio and died March 30, 1944 in Ashland, Ohio. Frank Benjamin Downs married Ida Isadore "Icea" Toomey about 1903.
Franklin Benjamin Downs, "Frank" local jeweler, had a dream to provide a park for the city of Ashland. Together with his pastor, the Rev. A. B. Robertson of the Christian church, he set out to canvass the city for the necessary funds. A seven-man committee selected an area off Brookside Drive and Lindale Avenue for the site, and with $6,000. The men began to convert an old stone quarry surrounded by six acres of land into a pond and park area. When Downs died in 1944, the original six acres of land had grown to more than 30 acres. Today, with the golf course and the recent addition of the Kestner property, Brookside covers 205 acres. The city also owns 16 acres at Cahn Grove and 15 more in satellite parks.
In A TRIBUTE TO DOWNS, William G. McKee, former sportswriter for the Times-Gazette, said, "Brookside Park will Stand as a monument, a happy and beautiful memorial to a man who took an idea and through the years helped make it an actuality of lawns and trees and flowers, of rest and recreation."
Frank B. Downs. Active and progressive in business, Frank B. Downs is numbered among the representative citizens of Ashland, where he has engaged in the jewelry business for a period of 30 years. He was born in this city, Dec. 31, 1875, the son of Richard G. and Sarah (Latter) Downs.
Richard G. Downs was born in London, England, as was his wife. He now lives in Ashland. His wife died in this city, Nov. 3, 1898, and is buried in Ashland Cemetery. A complete sketch of Richard G. Downs appears elsewhere in this history in the biography of his son, Charles H. Downs.
Frank B. Downs received his education in the public schools of Ashland, and for a time was employed by the F. E. Myers & Bros. Company. Later, he went to LaPorte, Ind., where he learned the watchmaker's trade. He spent some time in Toronto, Canada, and then returned to Ohio and located at Bellevue. From there he went to Jamesburg, N. J., and returned to Ashland in 1902, where he established a jewelry business in the Crowell Building. Mr. Downs removed to the Ames Building in 1907 at 37 West Main Street, and purchased the building three years later. He conducts one of the city's most attractive shops and has a well established trade.
In 1903 Mr. Downs married Miss Isadore Toomey, of Ashland, the daughter of James and Ella (Bowman) Toomey. Mr. and Mrs. Toomey reside in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have no children.
Mr. Downs is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree. He also belongs to the Isaac Walton League.
Mr. Downs is a leader in philanthropic work in the city and has always devoted much of his time and means in this direction. He was one of the founders of Brookside Park in 1919, being identified in this work with Rev. A. B. Robinson. They were the donors of eight acres of land for this purpose which was later enlarged to 17 acres by a fund left for that purpose by Miss Bell Osborne, of Ashland. Brookside Park, located on the west side of the city, is a complete amusement and recreation center. Tennis courts, croquet courts, horseshoe pitching courts, children's playgrounds, and picnic grounds are among the numerous attractions offered to the public. Band concerts are also held weekly during the summer months in the park. Mr. Downs was one of the organizers of the municipal swimming pool, which was built at a cost of $22,000. It is 60 x 150 feet, with a depth ranging from 30 inches to 9 feet 6 inches. The pool is of latest type of construction, built of concrete, and is thoroughly filtered. A small pool for the children is also operated in connection with the large pool.
From:
History of North Central Ohio
Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne,
Medina, Lorin, Huron and Knox Counties
BY: William A. Duff
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis 1931
Submitted by
DeCody Brad Marble
Franklin Benjamin Downs, "Frank" local jeweler, had a dream to provide a park for the city of Ashland. Together with his pastor, the Rev. A. B. Robertson of the Christian church, he set out to canvass the city for the necessary funds. A seven-man committee selected an area off Brookside Drive and Lindale Avenue for the site, and with $6,000. The men began to convert an old stone quarry surrounded by six acres of land into a pond and park area. When Downs died in 1944, the original six acres of land had grown to more than 30 acres. Today, with the golf course and the recent addition of the Kestner property, Brookside covers 205 acres. The city also owns 16 acres at Cahn Grove and 15 more in satellite parks.
In A TRIBUTE TO DOWNS, William G. McKee, former sportswriter for the Times-Gazette, said, "Brookside Park will Stand as a monument, a happy and beautiful memorial to a man who took an idea and through the years helped make it an actuality of lawns and trees and flowers, of rest and recreation."
Frank B. Downs. Active and progressive in business, Frank B. Downs is numbered among the representative citizens of Ashland, where he has engaged in the jewelry business for a period of 30 years. He was born in this city, Dec. 31, 1875, the son of Richard G. and Sarah (Latter) Downs.
Richard G. Downs was born in London, England, as was his wife. He now lives in Ashland. His wife died in this city, Nov. 3, 1898, and is buried in Ashland Cemetery. A complete sketch of Richard G. Downs appears elsewhere in this history in the biography of his son, Charles H. Downs.
Frank B. Downs received his education in the public schools of Ashland, and for a time was employed by the F. E. Myers & Bros. Company. Later, he went to LaPorte, Ind., where he learned the watchmaker's trade. He spent some time in Toronto, Canada, and then returned to Ohio and located at Bellevue. From there he went to Jamesburg, N. J., and returned to Ashland in 1902, where he established a jewelry business in the Crowell Building. Mr. Downs removed to the Ames Building in 1907 at 37 West Main Street, and purchased the building three years later. He conducts one of the city's most attractive shops and has a well established trade.
In 1903 Mr. Downs married Miss Isadore Toomey, of Ashland, the daughter of James and Ella (Bowman) Toomey. Mr. and Mrs. Toomey reside in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have no children.
Mr. Downs is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree. He also belongs to the Isaac Walton League.
Mr. Downs is a leader in philanthropic work in the city and has always devoted much of his time and means in this direction. He was one of the founders of Brookside Park in 1919, being identified in this work with Rev. A. B. Robinson. They were the donors of eight acres of land for this purpose which was later enlarged to 17 acres by a fund left for that purpose by Miss Bell Osborne, of Ashland. Brookside Park, located on the west side of the city, is a complete amusement and recreation center. Tennis courts, croquet courts, horseshoe pitching courts, children's playgrounds, and picnic grounds are among the numerous attractions offered to the public. Band concerts are also held weekly during the summer months in the park. Mr. Downs was one of the organizers of the municipal swimming pool, which was built at a cost of $22,000. It is 60 x 150 feet, with a depth ranging from 30 inches to 9 feet 6 inches. The pool is of latest type of construction, built of concrete, and is thoroughly filtered. A small pool for the children is also operated in connection with the large pool.
From:
History of North Central Ohio
Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne,
Medina, Lorin, Huron and Knox Counties
BY: William A. Duff
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis 1931
Submitted by
DeCody Brad Marble
Frank Benjamin Downs, the son of Richard George Downs and Sarah Latter, was born December 31, 1875 in Ashland, Ohio and died March 30, 1944 in Ashland, Ohio. Frank Benjamin Downs married Ida Isadore "Icea" Toomey about 1903.
Franklin Benjamin Downs, "Frank" local jeweler, had a dream to provide a park for the city of Ashland. Together with his pastor, the Rev. A. B. Robertson of the Christian church, he set out to canvass the city for the necessary funds. A seven-man committee selected an area off Brookside Drive and Lindale Avenue for the site, and with $6,000. The men began to convert an old stone quarry surrounded by six acres of land into a pond and park area. When Downs died in 1944, the original six acres of land had grown to more than 30 acres. Today, with the golf course and the recent addition of the Kestner property, Brookside covers 205 acres. The city also owns 16 acres at Cahn Grove and 15 more in satellite parks.
In A TRIBUTE TO DOWNS, William G. McKee, former sportswriter for the Times-Gazette, said, "Brookside Park will Stand as a monument, a happy and beautiful memorial to a man who took an idea and through the years helped make it an actuality of lawns and trees and flowers, of rest and recreation."
Frank B. Downs. Active and progressive in business, Frank B. Downs is numbered among the representative citizens of Ashland, where he has engaged in the jewelry business for a period of 30 years. He was born in this city, Dec. 31, 1875, the son of Richard G. and Sarah (Latter) Downs.
Richard G. Downs was born in London, England, as was his wife. He now lives in Ashland. His wife died in this city, Nov. 3, 1898, and is buried in Ashland Cemetery. A complete sketch of Richard G. Downs appears elsewhere in this history in the biography of his son, Charles H. Downs.
Frank B. Downs received his education in the public schools of Ashland, and for a time was employed by the F. E. Myers & Bros. Company. Later, he went to LaPorte, Ind., where he learned the watchmaker's trade. He spent some time in Toronto, Canada, and then returned to Ohio and located at Bellevue. From there he went to Jamesburg, N. J., and returned to Ashland in 1902, where he established a jewelry business in the Crowell Building. Mr. Downs removed to the Ames Building in 1907 at 37 West Main Street, and purchased the building three years later. He conducts one of the city's most attractive shops and has a well established trade.
In 1903 Mr. Downs married Miss Isadore Toomey, of Ashland, the daughter of James and Ella (Bowman) Toomey. Mr. and Mrs. Toomey reside in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have no children.
Mr. Downs is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree. He also belongs to the Isaac Walton League.
Mr. Downs is a leader in philanthropic work in the city and has always devoted much of his time and means in this direction. He was one of the founders of Brookside Park in 1919, being identified in this work with Rev. A. B. Robinson. They were the donors of eight acres of land for this purpose which was later enlarged to 17 acres by a fund left for that purpose by Miss Bell Osborne, of Ashland. Brookside Park, located on the west side of the city, is a complete amusement and recreation center. Tennis courts, croquet courts, horseshoe pitching courts, children's playgrounds, and picnic grounds are among the numerous attractions offered to the public. Band concerts are also held weekly during the summer months in the park. Mr. Downs was one of the organizers of the municipal swimming pool, which was built at a cost of $22,000. It is 60 x 150 feet, with a depth ranging from 30 inches to 9 feet 6 inches. The pool is of latest type of construction, built of concrete, and is thoroughly filtered. A small pool for the children is also operated in connection with the large pool.
From:
History of North Central Ohio
Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne,
Medina, Lorin, Huron and Knox Counties
BY: William A. Duff
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis 1931
Submitted by
DeCody Brad Marble
Franklin Benjamin Downs, "Frank" local jeweler, had a dream to provide a park for the city of Ashland. Together with his pastor, the Rev. A. B. Robertson of the Christian church, he set out to canvass the city for the necessary funds. A seven-man committee selected an area off Brookside Drive and Lindale Avenue for the site, and with $6,000. The men began to convert an old stone quarry surrounded by six acres of land into a pond and park area. When Downs died in 1944, the original six acres of land had grown to more than 30 acres. Today, with the golf course and the recent addition of the Kestner property, Brookside covers 205 acres. The city also owns 16 acres at Cahn Grove and 15 more in satellite parks.
In A TRIBUTE TO DOWNS, William G. McKee, former sportswriter for the Times-Gazette, said, "Brookside Park will Stand as a monument, a happy and beautiful memorial to a man who took an idea and through the years helped make it an actuality of lawns and trees and flowers, of rest and recreation."
Frank B. Downs. Active and progressive in business, Frank B. Downs is numbered among the representative citizens of Ashland, where he has engaged in the jewelry business for a period of 30 years. He was born in this city, Dec. 31, 1875, the son of Richard G. and Sarah (Latter) Downs.
Richard G. Downs was born in London, England, as was his wife. He now lives in Ashland. His wife died in this city, Nov. 3, 1898, and is buried in Ashland Cemetery. A complete sketch of Richard G. Downs appears elsewhere in this history in the biography of his son, Charles H. Downs.
Frank B. Downs received his education in the public schools of Ashland, and for a time was employed by the F. E. Myers & Bros. Company. Later, he went to LaPorte, Ind., where he learned the watchmaker's trade. He spent some time in Toronto, Canada, and then returned to Ohio and located at Bellevue. From there he went to Jamesburg, N. J., and returned to Ashland in 1902, where he established a jewelry business in the Crowell Building. Mr. Downs removed to the Ames Building in 1907 at 37 West Main Street, and purchased the building three years later. He conducts one of the city's most attractive shops and has a well established trade.
In 1903 Mr. Downs married Miss Isadore Toomey, of Ashland, the daughter of James and Ella (Bowman) Toomey. Mr. and Mrs. Toomey reside in Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have no children.
Mr. Downs is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree. He also belongs to the Isaac Walton League.
Mr. Downs is a leader in philanthropic work in the city and has always devoted much of his time and means in this direction. He was one of the founders of Brookside Park in 1919, being identified in this work with Rev. A. B. Robinson. They were the donors of eight acres of land for this purpose which was later enlarged to 17 acres by a fund left for that purpose by Miss Bell Osborne, of Ashland. Brookside Park, located on the west side of the city, is a complete amusement and recreation center. Tennis courts, croquet courts, horseshoe pitching courts, children's playgrounds, and picnic grounds are among the numerous attractions offered to the public. Band concerts are also held weekly during the summer months in the park. Mr. Downs was one of the organizers of the municipal swimming pool, which was built at a cost of $22,000. It is 60 x 150 feet, with a depth ranging from 30 inches to 9 feet 6 inches. The pool is of latest type of construction, built of concrete, and is thoroughly filtered. A small pool for the children is also operated in connection with the large pool.
From:
History of North Central Ohio
Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne,
Medina, Lorin, Huron and Knox Counties
BY: William A. Duff
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka-Indianapolis 1931
Submitted by
DeCody Brad Marble
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
