The progenitor of the Downings of Troy, New York, was David Downing, born in County Tyrone, and raised in Ireland. He came to Troy when a young man, direct from his native land. He prospered in his adopted city, and owned a plant suitable for general teaming purposes. He married Jane McCrossan, of Glasgow, Scotland. Children:
- Eliza, married William McGillivrae, of Troy; children: Margaret E., Leila Kate, Edward, Otto; Eliza is buried in Rural cemetery, Albany.
- Sarah Jane, unmarried; buried in Mount Ida cemetery.
- Harriet Blatchford, born in Troy, 1851; married John S. Macklin, of Watervliet; they removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he died February 21, 1906, aged fifty-six; no issue.
- John J., served in the civil war; buried at Mount Ida cemetery.
- David Smith, served in the civil war; buried at Mount Ida cemetery.
- Samuel Hamilton, served in the civil war; buried at Harrison's Landing.
- Edward Halley, see forward.
(II) Edward Halley, youngest son of David and Jane (McCrossan) Downing, was born in Troy, New York, in 1849, died in that city, 1903, and is buried in Oakwood cemetery. He was educated in public and private schools. He entered the employe of the Burdens in their mills where he was employed until 1864. In that year he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Regiment, New York Cavalry, and went to the front during the civil war. He was wounded in a skirmish and taken prisoner, was confined in Libby prison for a time, but the end of the war coming soon after his imprisonment he did not partake of the earlier horrors of the historic prison. After the war he returned to Troy and obtained an appointment as letter carrier. He remained but a short time, then again entered the employ of the Burdens, where he was in charge of one of their most important inventions, the horseshoe-making machine. Later he entered the employ of William Kemp, of Troy, engaged in the manufacture of articles of brass composition. He remained with William Kemp until his retirement about five years prior to his decease. He was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church of Troy, and a Republican, but took no active part in politics. He married Anna Brown, daughter of John Cantrell, of Troy. Child:
- Harold Kemp, of whom further.
(III) Harold Kemp, only child of Edward Halley and Anna Brown (Cantrell) Downing, was born in Troy, New York, September 21, 1875. He was educated in the public schools of Troy, New York, and began his business career as messenger boy in the National State Bank of Troy, rising through successive promotion until February 1, 1898, when he was appointed receiving teller of the Manufacturers' National Bank, where he remained until December, 1901. At the organization of the Troy Trust Company in the latter year he was elected assistant secretary and treasurer. In 1907 he was elected treasurer, an office he is now (1910) filling. His entire business life has been spent in banking, and he occupies a commanding position among the financiers of his native city and state. He is also assistant treasurer of the Rensselaer Improvement Company of Troy. He served in the Troy Citizens Corps from 1894 to 1900, ranking as corporal. He is a member of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, and in politics a Republican. He stands high in the Masonic order, both in the York and Scottish Rites, belonging to Commandery, Consistory and Shrine. Is a member of the Masonic Club of Troy and the Commercial Travelers' Association, and president of the Alumni Association of the Troy High School. He married, June 1, 1899, Jennie Riggs, daughter of Cornelius Luckerhoff, of Boston. Mr. Luckerhoff was manager of a large estate in Boston, but in 1908 settled in Troy; he married Gertrude, daughter of ———— and Eleanor Riggs. Harold Kemp and Jennie (Riggs) Downing have a daughter Eleanor.