Mark William Downie was born in New Brunswick, the son of Maurice and Helen Downie. After the early death of his father, his mother moved with 5 of her children to Stillwater, Washington County, Minnesota.

According to a biographical sketch found at www.1stminnesota.net, Mark Downie worked as a bookkeeper and cashier at a bank in Stillwater, MN before volunteering to join the army. He was wounded in the chest at the Battle of Bull Run and had been promoted to Major by the time the 1st Minnesota fought at Gettysburg. The account of his bravery is astonishing as he suffered two wounds in his right arm, a bullet through his left foot, a shell wound to his chest plus more injuries. It was said that of all the field officers wounded at Gettysburg he was the first to return to duty.

Mark W Downie