I am a Downing researcher but thought I should share this
with the Eyestone message board - unfortunately its has no
documentation as to its source of info.
Nan
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From a page in a book which was not documented at the time it was copied - perhaps
found at California's Sutro Library in South San Francisco. The book was hand typed - perhaps by a local historical society or a family member.
Beginning at top of page of unknown book:
"John Eyestone, son of George Eyestone, as stated before, had 14 children. John Wesley was No. 12 and he had ten children: their description follows:-
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Ralph Edgar Eyestone
(1 of John Wesley and Margaret Gardner Eyestone) was born 3 miles northwest of Lexington, Washington County, Iowa, November 13, 1866. Grew up on his father's farm. Common school plus one year at Iowa Wesleyan College. Married November 5, 1890 to Blanche Downing of Wellman, Iowa, began farming on 80 acres one half mile east of his birthplace. In September 1902, he sold the farm and moved to Groton, South Dakota where he engaged in the grain and coal business. After retiring about 1935, they made their home with their daughter, Ruth, Mrs. Randall McLeod, resident first in Worland and then in Torrington, Wyoming where Mr. McLeod is superintendent of a large beet sugar factory. Ralph also worked in the factory for some time. He died in Torrington of a heart attack, September 12, 1941, laid to rest in Valley View Cemetery there. He was a devoted Christian man, member of the Methodist Church from boyhood. Member of the Lions Club. He was a lover of the outdoors, much at home with gun and dog. They had two daughters as follows:-
181A. Ruth Agnes Eyestone-McLeod. Born November 8, 1891 on a farm two and one half miles northwest of Lexington, Washington County, Iowa, and 4 miles south of Wellman, Iowa. After common school, she spent a year at college, moved with her parents to Groton, South Dakota. Later was employed in Omaha, Nebraska where she met her future husband, Randall E. McLeod. They were married August 23, 1930. Mr. McLeod was born January 25, 1889 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He became superintendent of a large Holly Sugar Company in Worland, Wyoming. Then in March 1936, he was promoted to superintendency of a much larger plant in Torrington, Wyoming, their present home. Both Ruth and her husband are very efficient in all manner of church and civic activity. Mr. McLeod is a leading citizen, not only in his own town but in his state, refusing at the time to become a candidate for its Governor. Both are yet living at 2401, West A. Street, Torrington, Wyoming. They have no children.
181B. Doris L. Eyestone, (2 of Ralph) born near Lexington, Iowa, June 6, 1899, died October 27, 1913, Groton, S.D.
End of record of Ralph Eyestone and family.
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(2 of John Wesley) An infant, born January 20, 1869, died of pneumonie February 21, 1869. Buried Lexington Cemetery.
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