Middleport in Meigs County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Major John B. Downing
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2009
1. Major John B. Downing Marker
Major John B. Downing was born in Rutland in February 1834, son of Rodney and Marian Black Downing. Educated at Marietta College, he spent 27 years as a pilot and boat owner on the Mississippi River, operating between St. Louis and New Orleans. Downing became one of the most experienced river boat pilots on the Mississippi. As such, he was sought after by Mark Twain to teach him piloting. Later Twain gave him the name "Alligator Jack" and referenced him in his book Life on the Mississippi. Downing also played a role in the Civil War, piloting the fleet in cooperation with General U.S. Grant past the Vicksburg fortress during the famed 1863 Vicksburg Campaign. Downing married Romaine Miller in 1868, and they had two sons, Miller R. and John B. Jr. An accomplished violinist, marksman, and hunter, Downing died in March 1914 and was buried in Middleport Hill Cemetery.
Erected 2008 by Meigs County Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 20-53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition,
this page online
Location. 39° 0.207′ N, 82° 2.863′ W. Marker is in Middleport, Ohio, in Meigs County. Marker is on 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 232 N 2nd Street, Middleport OH 45760, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rear Admiral William W. Outerbridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Ohio River / Historic Middleport (about 600 feet away); Middleport Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. 0.2 miles away); General James V. Hartinger (approx. 0.2 miles away); William H. Powell (approx. 0.3 miles away in West Virginia); Rear Admiral Arthur Clark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Virgil A. Lewis (approx. 1.4 miles away in West Virginia); Morgan's Raid Route / Meigs County Courthouse (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middleport.
Also see . . .
1. Downing House History. (Submitted on March 11, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Downing and Mark Twain.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 6, 2009
2. Major John B. Downing House and Marker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021
3. National Register of Historic Places Marker for the house
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,899 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of Downing's grave site. • Can you help?
