Sunday, February 12, 1837 Arthur Mott Downer
Arthur Mott Downer was born in Oswego, New York, the son of brewer Truman Downer. In 1850 Truman opened a brewery in the boomtown of Chicago, Illinois and 13 year old Arthur was put to work, and learning the brewery trade alongside his older brother, Corydon.
In around 1859 Arthur married Anna Raymond in a union that would produce four children.
In 1866 Arthur partnered with Amos Hazen Peaslee to form the Peaslee Ale Co. brewery in Dubuque, Iowa. His father Truman left that same year for an opportunity in Buffalo, New York. His brother Corydon left his thriving brewery in Chicago in 1869 to open a branch brewery in Omaha. By the time of the Chicago fire there was virtually nothing left of the Downer brewing legacy in Chicago.
Arthur Downer and Amos Peaslee continued their brewery business until Amos's death in 1878. When the brewery passed on to new owners Downer kept his position as brewmaster and foreman well intpo the 1890s.
Arthur Mott Downer died on the 18th of May 1899 at the age of 62 years.
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Associated Breweries
The Peaslee Ale Co. of Dubuque, Iowa, USAIf you see an error, please correct me. Contribute corrections, images and additional information by following the contact link. Contact
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