Person:Mary Downing (26)

Peter L. Miller came to IA with his brother John in 1853 or shortly after because a marriage to Mary Ann Downing was performed by Thomas M. Coleman, Justice of the Peace on May 31, 1854. Theirs was one of the first marriages performed in the County of Guthrie which was formed in 1851. Mary Ann was the daughter of William and Nancy McCleland Downing. Mary Ann’s obit was published in the Guthrian: “Mrs. Mary Ann Miller wife of Peter L. Miller, died very suddenly at her home in Jackson township, May 14, 1906. She was 81 years and a few days old, born in IN and came to IA with John L. Miller in the year 1853, with whom she lived until she was married to her husband. She settled on the land that they occupied as a home for a half century. She was one of the charter members of the Church of God, organized by Elder George C. Thomas in the year 1855. She had no children, but was generous and kind to her friends. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wickinson and interment in the Glendon cemetery.”