For many years an active factor in the industrial interests of Connersville, Captain Thomas Downs, through his diligence, perseverance anti business ability acquired a handsome competence, and also contributed to the general prosperity through the conduct of enterprises which furnished employment to many. Reliability in all trade transactions, loyalty to all duties of citizenship, fidelity in the discharge of every trust reposed in him,—these are his chief characteristics, and through the passing years they have gained to him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.
Captain Downs was born in Anderson, Indiana, and is of Irish descent; but at an early day the family was founded in America, and the grandfather, Thomas Downs, removed from his native state of Maryland to Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1800. Thirty years later he became a resident of Franklin county, Indiana, where he continued farming, which he had made his life work until called to his final rest. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ruth House, was a native of Kentucky, and in their family were three sons and two daughters. Hezekiah Downs, the father of the Captain, was born in Kentucky in 1818, and went with his parents to Rush county at the age of twelve. Through much of his life he followed farming in Madison county, this state, but in 1862 brought his family to Connersville and here his last days were passed. He died in 1882, at the age of sixty-four years.
Captain Downs received his scholastic training in Madison county, and in May, 1862, when only sixteen years of age enlisted, at Anderson, for service in the civil war, becoming a member of Company K, Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry. On the expiration of his three-months term he re-enlisted, October 2, 1862, becoming a member of Company K, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, continuing at the front until November 10, 1865, when, the war having ended, he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg. He was with the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the Vicksburg campaign and the Red river expedition. After the former he was ill for three months with typhoid fever, but with this exception he was always found at his post of duty, faithfully performing every service allotted to him, whether upon the field of battle or on the picket line during the silent watches of the night.
When the country no longer needed his services Captain Downs came to Connersville, where he has since made his home. For many years he engaged in contracting and building. He was alone in business until January I, 1874, when he became a member of the firm of Andre, Stewart & Company, contractors and builders and owners and operators of a planing-mill. A year later he purchased the interests of his partners, with the exception of Mr. Stewart, and the firm of Stewart & Downs was organized. This relation was maintained for a year, when Mr. Stewart sold his interest to Mr. Martin, and in 1877, by the admission of Mr. Wait to an interest in the business, the firm of Martin, Downs & Company was established. In 1878 they sold the planing-mill to L. T. Bovver, but Mr. Downs and Mr. Wait continued together in the contracting and building business. Subsequently they purchased the planing-mill of Martin & Ready, and Mr. Ready bought a third interest in the business, operations being carried on under the style of Downs, Ready & Company until January I, 1899, when the Captain withdrew. This firm ran a very extensive planing-mill and did the largest contracting and building business in the city for many years. Many of the finest residences and other buildings of Connersville stand as monuments to the enterprise, thrift and ability of Captain Downs, whose commendable efforts made his success well merited.
Into other fields of endeavor also has he directed his energies and his wise counsel and sound judgment have contributed to the success of a number of the leading business concerns of the city. He is a director of the Fayette Banking Company and is a director of the Central Manufacturing Company, which he aided in organizing in 1S98. serving as its president the first year. He is a member and director of the Fayette Building & Loan Association, of which he served as president for a number of years. On the i6th of July, 1898, he was appointed assistant quartermaster in the United States Army, with the rank of captain. He was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri one of the largest and oldest military posts and distributing stations in the country, having been established in 1S27, and entered upon the duties of the office August 8. 1898. He is now stationed at Fort Stevens, Oregon.
On the l0th of November, 1866, Mr. Downs was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Eisemann, of Connersville, and their children are: Florence; Susan J., wife of Charles A. Rieman, a florist of Connersville and superintendent of the city cemetery ; Augusta, wife of J. P. Rhoads, who is employed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; William, who died in 188S, at the age of seventeen years ; and George, a graduate of Purdue University. The Captain maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Connersville Post, No. 126, G. A. R., and is now serving as its commander. He also belongs to Otonka Tribe. No. 94, I. O. R. M. ; Warren Lodge. No. 17. F. & A. M. : and Maxwell Chapter, R. A. M. An ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party, he does all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He has served as a member of the city council and was on the school board for nine years, acting at different times as its secretary, treasurer and president. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, who has effectively advanced its interests, and other measures for the pubic good receive his hearty support and co-operation. He possesses a social nature and jovial disposition, and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
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