Solomon W. Downs

Solomon Weathersbee Downs
United States Senator from Louisiana
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	Pierre Soulé
Succeeded by	Judah P. Benjamin
United States Collector of Customs for the District of Orleans
In office April 6, 1853 – August 14, 1854
Preceded by	George C. Laurason
Succeeded by	Thomas C. Porter
United States Attorney for the District of Louisiana
In office April 26, 1845 – June 14, 1846
Preceded by	Balie Peyton
Succeeded by	Thomas J. Durant
Personal details
Born	1801 Montgomery County, Tennessee
Died	August 14, 1854 (aged 52–53) Lincoln County, Kentucky
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ann Marie McCaleb
Alma mater	Transylvania University
Profession	Politician, Lawyer, Farmer

Solomon Weathersbee Downs (1801 – August 14, 1854) was a United States Senator from Louisiana. Born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, he pursued classical studies and graduated from the Transylvania University (in Lexington, Kentucky) in 1823. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1826 and commenced practice in Bayou Sara, Louisiana. He moved to Ouachita, Louisiana and then to New Orleans in 1845, where he engaged in the practice of law and was a successful planter.

A full-length portrait

Downs was United States Attorney for the district of Louisiana from 1845 to 1846 and a member of the State constitutional convention. He was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate and served from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1853; while in the Senate he was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (Thirtieth Congress) and a member of the Committee on Private Land Claims (Thirtieth through Thirty-second Congresses). He was appointed by President Franklin Pierce as United States Collector of Customs for the District of Orleans in 1853. He died in Lincoln County, Kentucky and was buried on his family plantation. He was later reinterred at Riverview Cemetery in Monroe, Louisiana.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Solomon W. Downs (id: D000476)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Solomon W. Downs at Find a Grave