Solomon W. Downs

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.

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Solomon Weathersbee Downs
United States senator
from Louisiana
In office
March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byPierre Soulé
Succeeded byJudah P. Benjamin
United States Collector of Customs for the District of Orleans
In office
April 6, 1853 – August 14, 1854
Preceded byGeorge C. Laurason
Succeeded byThomas C. Porter
United States Attorney for the District of Louisiana
In office
April 26, 1845 – June 14, 1846
Preceded byBalie Peyton
Succeeded byThomas J. Durant
Personal details
Born1801
Montgomery County, Tennessee
DiedAugust 14, 1854 (aged 52–53)
Lincoln County, Kentucky
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Ann Marie McCaleb
Alma materTransylvania University
ProfessionPolitician, Lawyer, Farmer

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.
U.S. Senate
Preceded by
Pierre Soulé		 U.S. senator (Class 2) from Louisiana
March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1853
Served alongside: Henry Johnson and Pierre Soulé		 Succeeded by
Judah P. Benjamin
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