George T. Downing Carries the Torch
George T. Downing attended high school in New York City and completed coursework at Hamilton College. As a young man, he worked as an Underground Railroad agent and eventually married Serena Leanora de Grasse in 1841. He came from a prominent family with close ties to abolitionists in Oneida County, New York. Like his father, George was active in organizing antislavery societies and attended African American conventions for the uplift of his people. Like his father, he worked to end unequal property qualifications for Black voters in New York State. During the Civil War, George organized several colored regiments and fought for equal pay and treatment for Black soldiers. The federal government initially paid Black soldiers less than white soldiers and refused to commission Black officers. George demanded justice.
A Parallel Path
Similar to his father, George made his name in the food and hospitality industry. His first venture was a candy-making and catering business in New York City. His enterprise expanded into Newport, Rhode Island, where he built and operated hotels and resorts for the wealthy. In Newport, George developed a block of stores that first attracted business people from other cities to vacation there. He essentially helped create Newport as a resort destination. He also built and operated a large dining hall at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., in 1865, called the House of Refectory. He ran the dining hall until he retired in 1879. George proves that activism and entrepreneurship can reinforce each other. His business success gave him resources and connections. His activism gave his work meaning beyond profit.