Downs, Thomas, 1845-1911.

A native Indianan, Downs was born in Lawrenceburg on March 31, 1845. At only 16, he left home to enlist as a private in Co. K, 54th Indiana Infantry, later serving in the Vicksburg Campaign and in the Department of the Mississippi with the 16th Indiana Infantry and 13th Indiana Cavalry. Upon mustering out of the army, he returned to his parents' home in Connersville, Ind., and in November, 1866, married his seventeen year-old sweetheart, Mary Jane Eisman, the daughter of a German immigrant.

The young couple flourished in Connersville, raising five children while Thomas built his reputation as a carpenter, and later as a top notch general contractor. Downs, Ready & Co., of which he became senior partner in 1884, was employed throughout the state in the design and construction of public buildings, including the 8th Street School, the National Bank building and both the Catholic and Methodist churches in Connersville, and a similar variety of buildings in Rushville, Greenville, Muncie, and Marion. A public-minded man, Downs built a solid civic reputation through his work in Republican political circles, as city councilman (1887-1889), and as a member of the school board (1890-1899), and after the turn of the century, he even entertained thoughts of running for a seat in congress. At the same time, he held positions of responsibility in several fraternal and patriotic organizations, including the Grand Army of the Republic, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Royal Arch Masonic lodge, the Union Club, and the Improved Order of Red Men.

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