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| Birth: | 26 Oct 1838 in Holmes County Ohio=80 census says born in INDIANA 1 |
| Death: | 12 Mar 1912 in Rochester Indiana (IOOF) 1 |
| Sex: | M |
| Father: | George Downs b. 18 Mar 1815 in Jefferson Couty, Ohio |
| Mother: | Ann Black b. 28 Jan 1819 in Uniontown Fayette County Pennslyvania |
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| Fact 1: 30 Nov 1859 Maried Lacy M Shelden 1 |
| Fact 2: she died within a year of marriage 1 |
| Fact 3: No issue 1 |
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Individual:
William Downs found in:
Family Archive #243 Marriage Index: Indiana, 1851-1900
Married: Nov. 30, 1859 in: Jennings, IN Gender: M
Source: County Court Records Film reference number: 1305173 - 1305178
Spouse name: Shelden, Lacy N. [DOWNSOF DELAWARE2005GED.FBK.FBK.FBK.FBK]
===================
William Downs, farmer and saw-milling, P.O. Rochester, son of George and Ann (Black)
Downs, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania, was born in Jennings County,
Ind., October 26, 1838. Mr. Downs enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company B, Sixth Indiana
Infantry, and faithfully served his country for over three years, participating during that time in
numerous hard-fouht battles and skirmishes. He became a resident of this county in 1866, and
has since been extensively engaged in the saw-milling and lumber business. The event of his
marriage took place January 2, 1866, to Susan Brown who was born in Jannings County, Ind.,
September 24, 1843. She is the daughter of John M. and Jane (McGill) Brown. Mr. and Mrs.
Downs have had born to them four children, viz.: Lillie M., born January 30,1867; Almeda,
February 19, 1869; John G., June 26, 1871; and James M., October 28, 1873. Mr. Downs has
under course of construction a brick dwelling that will on completion be a model of neatness
and convenience. He is a member of Rochester I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 147, and is widely known
as an industrious, entrprising citizen, commanding the respect of all who know him.
[T. B. Helm, Fulton County Atlas, A. L. Kingman, 1883, p. 29]
BIOGRAPHY
William Downs, farmer and lumber manufacturer, is a native of Jennings county, Ind. He was
born Oct. 26, 1838, and is a son of George and Ann (Black) Downs. The father was born in
Ohio, and died in Fulton county, Ind., in 1892, at about eighty-six years of age. The mother was
born in Pennsylvania and died in this county in 1886. The Downs family came to Indiana in
1838 and settled in Jennings county, and during the late war the parents of William Downs came
to Fulton county. Mr. Downs grew up on the farm and received his schooling in the primitive
schools of Jennings county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Indiana volunteer infantry.
He took part in the battles of Perryville, Salt Creek Knob, Atlanta, and many other less
important engagements. Not until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox court house was Mr.
Downs mustered out of service. The war over, he came to Fulton county and since that time has
resided upon the Michigan road, about one mile south of the court house. He is one of the
county's leading farmers and now owns 318 acres of well improved land, all located within
three miles of Rochester. For some six months after coming to Fulton county he worked at the
carpenter trade and then engaged in the saw-mill business. For thirty years he has been
manufacturing lumber in this county. In 1896 he was appointed superintendent of the Michigan
gravel road. He was united in marriage in 1866 to Miss Susan Brown, who was born in
Jennings county, Ind., Sept. 24, 1843. Her parents were early settlers of Jennings county, Ind.,
and both died there about twelve years ago. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Downs are these
three sons and two daughters, viz.: John G., James, William K., Maude and Almeda. The
republican party has always had the loyal support of Mr. Downs and he is a member of
McClung post, No. 95, G.A.R and of the order of I.O.O.F. Mrs. Downs is a member of the
Baptist church. Mr. Downs is one of the progressive men of this county and the success he has
attained has come through his own well directed efforts.
[Elia W. Peattie, Fulton County History, National Publishing Co,. Chicago 1896, p. 63]
===========================
Thursday, August 17, 1905
A most shocking accident occurred Wednesday evening, south of town, where the STEVENS
farm ditch crosses the Michigan Road. Sam HORN, Jr., aged 23 years, who has been teamster
for the DOWNS sawmill for several years, was hauling logs and met a shocking death in trying
to repair his wagon.
He had pulled his load out of the field and at the grade up to the pike, his team had evidently
stalled and he unhitched and used the block and tackle, a device of ropes and pulleys much more
powerful for a team than a direct pull. In so doing the coupling pole of the heavily loaded wagon
had evidently broken so that Horn left the team standing, hitched to the blocks, and went to the
wagon, to make repairs. And there he was found, some time later, by A. D. ROBBINS and Will
ROUCH, hanging dead under the wagon, his head and neck pinioned up against the loaded logs
by the broken coupling pole. The alarm was at once given and Kenneth, John and Bent DOWNS
and Pete LOWE were soon at the wagon, and took the body from its kneeling position and its
vice of death. Soon after, undertakers Val and Leo ZIMMERMAN arrived, and found the jaw
broken in two places, one ear badly torn, and bruises about the head and neck indicating that the
blow from the up flying coupling pole would have produced death and also that the vice-like
pressure on the neck would have choked him to death. The body was brought in to the
Zimmerman morgue and prepared for burial and after the coroner's inquest today, was taken to
the home of the boy's parents, Mr. & Mrs. Sam HORN, east of town.
Just how long the accident occurred before it was discovered by Robbins and Rouch is not
definitely known, but surely not long as other teams were passing from time to time and he
would have been discovered. It is believed that Horn was trying to repair the cracked coupling
pole when it broke and caught him with a terrific blow as it required a pry and four men on it to
release the body from pressure.
The funeral will be Friday at 2 o'clock at the residence of his parents, two miles east of
Rochester, on the Ft. Wayne road. Interment at Odd Fellows cemetery.
==============================
Saturday, July 29, 1882
About 5 o'clock yesterday evening a messenger came to town and reported that a young man had
been killed at Wm. DOWNS' saw mill, one mile south of town. A Sentinel representative was
soon on the ground to learn the facts of the accident. Arriving there we found the mangled
remains of Wm. STURKIN, a young man about 18 years of age, who had been engaged for the
past year as fireman at the mill, spread upon a plank on the carriage way. In an interview with
Mr. Downs, proprietor of the mill, we learned all that was known of the terrible accident that
caused the death of the young man. There are five men engaged in and about the mill, but at the
time of the accident, only two were within the enclosure, Mr. Downs and the deceased. Young
Sturkin had been engaged repairing a belt that run upon the line shaft. While engaged upon it he
was in a small pit and the mill in motion. After repair had been made, he evidently attempted to
put it in position and was caught by it and wound around the shaft. Mr. Downs was only a few
feet away but knew nothing of what was going on until he heard the unusual thumping and saw
the young man wound around the shaft that was making a thousand revolutions a minute. The mill
was shut down immediately, but the work of destruction had been done. The small space in
which he had to revolve, thrashed him against some heavy solid timbers and loose lumber until
his body was pounded into a jelly. The first revolution, no doubt, cracked his skull and threw the
bulk of his brains at least twenty feet away under the mill carriage. One leg was also horribly
mangled and it is not probable that there was a whole bone left in his body. The coroner was
promptly called whose verdict will be in accordance with the above facts. The deceased was a
bright and promising young man. His father and step-mother lives in the immediate
neighborhood where the accident occurred, and to them his untimely death is a sore affliction. At
the hour of our going to press, no arrangements or date for his funeral had been fixed.
That is the second death that has occurred at that mill. Several years ago Palmer COLLINS,
while unloading logs from a wagon, on the yard, suffered one to roll off the wagon on his head,
mashing his head and killing him instantly.
============================================
ROCHESTER STANDARD - Thursday, January 10, 1867
FULTON COUNTY DELINQUENT TAX LIST... for the year 1865 and remaining unpaid on the 15th of December 1866: William Downs amoung many others so he must have owned land by 1865
=============================
ROCHESTER UNION-SPY - Friday, June 16, 1871
One day last week Mr. GEO. DOWNS concluded to unload his shot gun... The "mud daubbers" had filled the barrel with mud, which had dried in, and when Mr. Downs fired, the cylinder bursted, a piece of it hitting him on the eye. It is feared that the sight is gone, as he has been unable to see any with it since the unfortunate occurrence. - Sentinel.
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ROCHESTER UNION SPY. Thursday, March 20. 1873
The SAW MILL of WM. DOWNS, south of town, is now in operation.
==========================================
ROCHESTER UNION SPY, Thursdav, June 12, 1873
The family of WM. DOWNS, together with all his hired hands, have been having a serious time with the sore eyes. So bad were they all that Mr. D was compelled to stop his mill for a few days last week, the men being so much afflicted that they were unable to work. All better now.
===================================
ROCHESTER UNION SPY, Thursday, Julv 17, 1873
The ELLSWORTH SCHOOL, near WILLIAM DOWNS' saw mill, Miss THORNTON, teacher, closed last Friday.
==========================
ROCHESTER UNION SPY, Thursday, Julv 24, 1873
Mr. JOHN M. BROWN, whom we take to be a fair-square Republican, left at our office last Saturday a basketful of nice potatoes, raised by himself on the farm of his son-in-law, WM. DOWNS, Esq..
=========================================
ROCHESTER SENTINEL, Saturday, July 31, 1875
WM. DOWNS has put in new sills and is making other needed improvements at his SAW MILL south of town. He is now turning out large quantities of a superior article of lumber.
=====================================
ROCHESTER UNION SPY, Friday, October 22, 1875
WILLIAM DOWNS, south of town, will sell at public auction, Saturday, October 23d, a lot of personal property, consisting of horses, cows, hogs and farming implements generally.
( Maybe he got out of farming, rented the ground and just ran the sawmill. Son Jim was 2 yrs @ this time)
========================================
================================
William Downs found in:
Family Archive #243 Marriage Index: Indiana, 1851-1900
Married: Nov. 30, 1859 in: Jennings, IN Gender: M
Source: County Court Records Film reference number: 1305173 - 1305178
Spouse name: Shelden, Lacy N. ( SHE WAS WILLIAM'S FIRST WIFE WHO DIED )
===================================================
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1912
Fulton county lost another pioneer citizen in the death of William DOWNS, which occurred at the family home just south of this city Tuesday evening at 5:30 o'clock, following an illness of eight weeks from paralysis. William Downs has been a resident of Fulton county since the close of the war and during that time won the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends by his genial disposition and by strict honesty in his business dealings. He was active in all affairs looking to the advancement of the community of which he was a part, and by well directed efforts attained a success in a financial way.
William Downs was born October 26, 1838, in Jennings county, Indiana. He was a son to George and Ann(BLACK) DOWNS. The father was born in Ohio and died in this county in 1892. The Downs family came to Indiana in 1838 and settled in Jennings county, where Mr. Downs grew up on the farm and received his schooling in the primitive schools of Jennings county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battles of Perryville, Salt Creek Knob, Atlanta, and many other less important engagements. After two years service he was honorably discharged, but re-enlisted in the Bridge Corps and not until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox was Mr. Downs mustered out of service. The war over, he came to Fulton county and since that time has resided on the Michigan road, about one mile south of the court house. For a few months after locating in this county he followed the carpenter trade, but soon after formed a partnership with Reuben (VanTRUMP) and Calvin (VanTRUMP) and engaged in the sawmill business, which he followed until the time of his death, after purchasing the interests of different partners. On January 2, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan BROWN in Jennings county. To this union three sons and two daughters were born, all of whom are well know residents of this county. They are: John G. (DOWNS), James (DOWNS), William (DOWNS), Mrs. Peter LOWE and Mrs.William E. BLACKBURN. Mrs. Downs preceded her husband in death, having passed to her reward last fall.
Mr. Downs was a loyal supporter of the Republican party, a pioneer member of the I.O.O.F. lodge, having been initiated into that order in July, a869, and an active member of McClung Post, No. 95, G.A.R. He never affiliated with any church, but was a man of splendid character: a devoted husband and a kind father.
The funeral services will be conducted at the family home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Rev. G.A. CHANDLER of the Baptist church will have charge of the services, which will be attended by the G.A.R. and the Odd Fellows. The burial will be make at the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
==========================================
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CITY'S PIONEER BUSINESS CONCERNS
DOWNS SAWMILL
For a most interesting narrative of one of the community's oldest business concerns, of the Downs sawmill, the author is indebted to James Downs ( 1), present owner of this pioneer business which is situated a mile south of Rochester, on State Road 25.
Inasmuch as the founding of the Downs sawmill ws effected shortly after the Civil War we must delve in the life and career of William Downs, father of James Downs. William Downs was born in Fennings county, Indiana, on October 26, 1838. When the civil war broke out William enlisted ( his first wife Lucy Sheldon had just died) with the Union forces for a period of three months, and was stated most everyone at that time wasof the opinion that the "Rebels would be licked" and the war ended in three months, or even a lesser period.
Sent Home With Measles
The first duty of young downs was to guard property siezed from the Rebels. While engaged in this service he was stricken wiht the measles and returned to his home. recuperating from the epidemid, William then re-enlisted under the service of the Union army for the duration of the conflict.
At the close of the war he returned to Jennings county where on January 1st, 1866, he was married to his childhook sweetheart, Susan Brown. ( I question "Childhood sweetheart" as he was married Lucy SHELDEN, in 1859 and she died in 1860.) A few weeks later the newly-weds traveded to Logansport by train and from that trading post, they journeded northward to Rochester by a horse-drawn hack.
Upon their arrival, young Downs leased a plot of ground and a small framehouse from Reuben Van Trupm and the site became known to the Downs as "Rube's lot." This section of ground is now the orchard of the James Downs 224-acre farm, on which is located the sawmill.
At this time the sawmill was owned and operated by Reuben and Calvin VAN TRUMP and William Downs began his milling apprenticeship in their employ. ( the family story goes that Susan Brown, William's wife's family were in the lumber business and she was capable of measuring lumber with the best of the men.) A short time later he was taken in as a partner and in the year 1870 he purchased the VAN TRUPMS' interest and acquired more farm land.
Old "Muley" Mill
the sawmill at that time was know as a "muley" mill. A "muley" saw was one that worked straight up and down and made its cut on the down stroke.
When William Downs and wife came to this county practically all of the land around the sawmill site was surrounded by timber. There were but three other homes in that locality at the time, one on the BRACKETT farm, another residence owned by the HUDTWALCKERS and one owned by John ELAM and tenanted by Charles CAFFYN. James recalls of his father telling of the hard times he andyoung CAFFYN experienced in the late '60s.
During the fall and early winter months both Downs and Caffyn would go to the nearby woods and cut their winter fuel and logs. James stated his father and Mr. Caffyn went through some mighty slim winters, in those days, and at times thee was not enough meat to supply the two young couples. The elder Downs told his son that whichever of the Caffyns and Downs household had meat for dinner it was up to them to move the tools for the wood cutting job.
Business Thrives
After a few years of real hardships William Downs began to realize meagre profits from his labor and he purchased another 20 acres of timber land lying adjacent to the mill grounds. This was soon paid for by by timber which was cut and truned out at his mill
A new Wyandotte Chief, curcular saws which were made in Upper Sandusky, Ohip replaced the old "muley" saw in 1869. The old frames which held upper andlower saws of the Wyandotte still stand in the mill today.
Business and others for whom William Downs supplied building lumber weretje Cpwgo;; :i,ber company (later the Ananias Baker Lumber Company), the old Academy of Music building and practically all of Rochester's older buildings.
Old-time Sawyers
Old time sawyers in the employ of the elder Downs were John BOCKOVER and Tim BLACKBURN (father of Fred BLACKBURN of Akron). Tom Blackburn and family resided in a little old frame building adjacent to the swamill, which was once used as a school house. It was in this home that Fred Blackburn was born.
James Donws, who was born in 1873 and who is owner and operator of the mill today, received his schooling in a little one-story brick school which was located in a corner of what is now the County Infirmary farm (POOR FARM). Teachers who were employed at various periods throughout the existence of this little brick school were Estella MITCHELL (the late Mrs. Nobby TRUE), Sydney MOON, Clara MCMAHAN and Henry FOGLESONG.
As soon as James Downs completed his schooling he accepted a position in his father's mill and served his sawmill operator's apprenticeship under the guidance of head sawyer, John BOCKOVER. James states in the early days there were no long distance hauls to secure good timber as there was an abundance of poplar, white and red oak, walnut and ash i the immediate vicinity of the mill.
Abundance of Timber
"The hauls were made chiefly on sleds and wagons and the mill maintained two cutters, a couple of teams in the field throughout the early years. Today, of course, the hauling is via truck and while a fairly good supply of timber still remains in Fulton county, a great deal of the timber is hauled in from Cass, Miami, and Kosciusko counties.
In 1899, the Downs sawmill was completely remodeled, practically all of the equipment was replaced with more modern devices, and in November of 1901 the entire equipment was wiped out by a fire of unknown origin. Immediately following this disaster, the Downs began to erect a new and still more modern mill and in March of 1902, the new mill was placed in operation.
the following ten years, according to James Downs, were perhaps the busiest of the mill's existence to date. The sawmill at that time gave employment to ten teamsters, four cutters and extra saw and mill men. Another speed-up in production of the business occurred in 1918,1919,1920 and1921: the post-war period during which time the greater portion of the mill's output was shipped Chicago, South Bend, Flint, Mich., and other industrial centers.
Timber For Coffin
Among the Downs' mill customers a score or more of years ago were the Pendergast Lumber company of Lima, Ohio, agent for the Erie Railroad company, and also large shipments of lumber were sold to the Erie car shops at Huntington, Ind. Mr. Downs staed that perhaps the most unique order he received during his long term of service in this business was from Jonas Myers who wanted some extra high-grade oak from which to make his coffin. According to James, old Sam jWalters who built the casket for Mr. Myers, was completlly "fed-up" onthis branch ofthe business and threatened to quit his job as cabinetmaker if Jonas truned in any more of that sort of orders.
Jim Gets Scare
One of the humorous incidents which occurred during the present owners's long tenure at the mill occurred when he was but six or seven years old. The mill at that time had a steam twin-boiler hook-up for power. These boilers were under a 100-pound steam pressure and at the top was a bell and governor control for the mill whistle. Young Jim was then prowling about the mill when in some manner Charley DIX, the fireman, knocked off the ball governor control and with whistle screaming, the whistle and box shot through the roof a hundred feet into the air. James stated he would have been running yet if his parents hadn't caught up with him and explained what had happened.
Two Men Killed
Mr. Downs stated there have been two fatalities to occur while he and his father were operating the mill. William STURKINS, 19, was killed in July of 1882, when his clothing became entangled in a pulley and belt at the mill. The other casualty occured about four miles south of town when Samuel HORN was killed while he was attempting to repair a log-hauling wagon coupling which had broken while corssing a small bdidge. Horn was trapped in the riggings and found some time later by Dee ROBBINS and William ROUCH, stock buryers who were in route to Rochester at the time. Mr. Horn was killed in August of 1907.
Among the more recent sawing contracts of jobs turned out at the Downs mill were timber for the Carl QUICK barns, the Otto MCMAHAN farms barns, Charley BAILEY barns and others. Timber is hauled in by truck from Cass, Miami and Kosciusko counties as well as Fulton County. Like wise most of the mill's output today is delivered by truck.
While Mr. Downs has no "set" personnel at the mill today he stated he and Melvin CISSEL operate the mill proper and his son-in-law, Russell SMILEY at times also assists with the work.
In earlier days James Downs, two brothers, John and Kenneth, were also employed in the business. John Downs passed away several years ago, and Kenneth Downs now resides in Rochester, Mrs. Meade Blackburn, of this city, is a daughter of William Downs, founder of the Downs sawmill. The elder Downs passed away at his farm home south ofhte city in March of 1912.
Other Old Sawmills
Among other mills which existed in this community during the long operation of the Downs mill were a hub and spoke factory operated by Sam and Fred HEILBRUN: the Wilks TAYLOR mill near the Erie R.R. tracks where John SHETTERLY was head sawman: the Hinkel mill and the strauss mill both located in the northern part of the town, and the PEABODY mill which was located in the vicinity of where now stands the Farmers Co-operative business, on East Ninth street.
Mr. Downs and his wife, both of whom are enfoying good health, reside in a modern (are they kidding-no plumbing for another eight years till after Jim died in 1949) two-story brick home, south of Rochester, adjacent to "Rube's Lot" where some 75 years ago William Downs hewed out his one-story frame home from native timber that almost completely surrounded that section of the county.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
THE DOWNS SAWMILL UNTIL 1971 WAS LOCATED @ THE SOUTH WEST CORNOR OF US-31 BYPASS AND SR - 25 -- LOCATED SOUTH OF ROCHESTER ON SR-25 AT 150S. AT THAT TIME IT ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE FARM WAS TORE DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR THE BYPASS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
The mill was known as Downs Sawmill, later William Downs and Sons, and by 1912 when James bought Kenneth's share, it again became Downs Sawmill.
In 1901 the mill shed burned, but the smoke stack still stood: the saw and log carrrigee had to be sent away for repairs. A new boiler was installed in 1914 and saw dust was burned instead of slab wood.
In 1945 the steam engine was replaced by diesel engine. In 1949 at the death of James Downs the sawmill was discontinued, having been in exixtence about 100 years.
Downs Family, Ruth Downs Richardson, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard
----------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 13, 1912
Fulton county lost another pioneer citizen in the death of William DOWNS, which occurred at
the family home just south of this city Tuesday evening at 5:30 o'clock, following an illness of
eight weeks from paralysis. William Downs has been a resident of Fulton county since the close
of the war and during that time won the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends by his
genial disposition and by strict honesty in his business dealings. He was active in all affairs
looking to the advancement of the community of which he was a part, and by well directed
efforts attained a success in a financial way.
William Downs was born October 26, 1838, in Jennings county, Indiana. He was a son of
George and Ann (BLACK) DOWNS. The father was born in Ohio and died in this county in
1892. The Downs family came to Indiana in 1838 and settled in Jennings county, where Mr.
Downs grew up on the farm and received his schooling in the primitive schools of Jennings
county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the
battles of Perryville, Salt Creek Knob, Atlanta, and many other less important engagements.
After two years service he was honorably discharged, but re-enlisted in the Bridge Corps and
not until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox was Mr. Downs mustered out of service. The war
over, he came to Fulton county and since that time has resided on the Michigan road, about one
mile south of the court house. For a few months after locating in this county he followed the
carpenter trade, but soon after formed a partnership with Reuben [VanTRUMP] and Calvin
[VanTRUMP] and engaged in the sawmill business, which he followed until the time of his
death, after purchasing the interests of different partners. On January 2, 1866, he was united in
marriage to Miss Susan BROWN in Jennings county. To this union three sons and two daughters
were born, all of whom are well known residents of this county. They are: John G. [DOWNS],
James [DOWNS], William Kenneth [DOWNS], Mrs. Peter LOWE and Mrs. William E.
BLACKBURN. Mrs. Downs preceded her husband in death, having passed to her reward last
fall.
Mr. Downs was a loyal supporter of the Republican party, a pioneer member of the I.O.O.F.
lodge, having been initiated into that order in July, 1869, and an active member of McClung
Post, No. 95, G.A.R. He never affiliated with any church, but was a man of splendid character; a
devoted husband and a kind father.
The funeral services will be conducted at the family home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Rev.
G. A. CHANDLER of the Baptist church will have charge of the services, which will be
attended by the G.A.R. and the Odd Fellows. The burial will be made at the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
=========================
VAN TRUMP SAWMILL [Rochester Township]
Located approximately SW corner of US-31 bypass and SR-25.
Owned by Reuben and Calvin Van Trump.
The mill was a Muley Mill, invented by a man named Muley and run by a steam engine. The saw
stood upright and was a band or sash saw. In 1869 a new saw was needed. A circular one,
called Wyandott Chief, made at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, was installed.
An employee, William Downs, later bought them out.
[Downs Family, Ruth Downs Richardson, Fulton Co. Folks, Vol. 1, Willard]
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Saturday, December 14, 1878
(Gravel Road Notice)... at the December Term, 1878, of the Board of Commissioners of Fulton County, Indiana, Geo. W. NORRIS, William DOWNS and others filed their petition for a Gravel Road (location described)... appointed as Viewers thereon: George PERSHBACHER, A. T. JACKSON and John JOHNSON, and Silas J. MILLER, Engineer... Charles W. CAFFYN, Auditor, Fulton County.
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