My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. THOMAS J. DOWNS, son of William Downs and grandson of Rev. Thomas Downs, was born April 13, 1834, in Ohio County, Ky. Until fourteen years old he received good schooling advantages, but his father dying then, he was withdrawn from school and from that time until he attained his majority his time was employed in the support of the family. In 1855 he became a citizen of Warrick County, Ind., and for a time worked at carpentering. The fall of 1863 he enlisted a number of men for his country’s service, and they were made members of Company E, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Downs was unanimously elected Captain, and as such led his command through various hard-fought battles and campaigns of the Rebellion. He was wounded in an engagement at Wise Fork, N. C., and in May, 1865, was honorably discharged. The fall of that year he was elected Auditor of Warrick County, on the Republican ticket, receiving a majority of twelve votes over his competitor. From the time of the expiration of his term of office, Capt. Downs has been engaged in merchandising, milling and farming, but at present is retired from active business pursuits. In 1872, 1874 and 1878 he served as Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and in 1884 was defeated for the Sheriffalty of the county only thirty-one votes, while the average Democratic majority on the remainder of the county ticket was about 400. His marriage with Miss Lydia M. Williams was solemnized January 1, 1857, and four sons and one daughter have been born to their union. He belongs to the Masonic, K. of P. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and since 1856 he and wife have been members of the Baptist Church.