James H. Down, Sr. (1877-1946) was born in Michigan on September 20, 1877. After the death of both of his parents, he was adopted by Walter A. Down. In 1907, James H. Down married his first wife, Rogena Mahar. They moved to Nevada in 1916 and settled in Goodsprings, Nevada where he worked for George A. Fayle. In 1923, Down relocated to Las Vegas and operated a garage. He opened a Studebaker automobile dealership at the corner of Main and Carson Streets in downtown Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, James H. Down, Sr.

Anton Paul Hugo Zepnik Drago's parents were Anna (aka Anni Schildkraut and Anna Schildmann) and Evan Zepnik. Drago was his maternal grandmother's maiden name.