Solomon Weathersbee DOWNS, Congress, LA (1801-1854)

DOWNS, Solomon Weathersbee, a Senator from Louisiana; born in Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1801; pursued classical studies and graduated from the Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., in 1823; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1826 and commenced practice in Bayou Sara, West Feliciana Parish, La.; moved to Ouachita, La., and then to New Orleans, La., in 1845, where he engaged in the practice of law and was a successful planter; United States attorney for the district of Louisiana 1845-1847; member of the State constitutional convention; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1853; chairman, Committee on Engrossed Bills (Thirtieth Congress), Committee on Private Land Claims (Thirtieth through Thirty-second Congresses); appointed by President Franklin Pierce collector of the port of New Orleans in 1853; died in Crab Orchard Springs, Lincoln County, Ky., August 14, 1854; buried on family plantation, later reinterred in Riverview Cemetery, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, La.

Bibliography

Greer, James Kimmons. “Louisiana Politics, 1845-1861.” Louisiana Historical Quarterly 12 (July 1929): 381-425; (October 1929): 555-610; 13 (January 1930): 67-116; (April 1930): 257-303; (July 1930): 444-83; (October 1930): 617-54.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present