VIRGIL S. DOWNING, was born in Springfield, Illinois, April 2, 1842; son of Jacob and Nancy (Sudduth) Downing, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. They both died when Virgil was young, and the latter, at thirteen years of age, went to live with Philemon Stout, with whom he remained until the opening of the late war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, serving until the Spring of 1865. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and many smaller engagements. On the close of the war he returned to farming; October 22, 1873, he married Susan A. Shields, who was born in this county, December 7, 1842; the daughter of Alexander and Ann (Capps) Shields; their three children are Geraldine, Anna and Alexander. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Downing bought the store owned by Mrs. C. W. Salisch, consisting of general merchandise, which he now conducts. He is also postmaster at Cotton Hill.