The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-04-03

4 An Old Citizen Dead.-We are called
upon this week to announce the death Of an
old and respected citizen, Mr.. J. B. G.. Downs,
who departed this life on the 2Sth uIt., aged
70 years and II days. Mr.. Downs had been
in feeble health for some years, but especially
feeble during the psst year, and his death
though not unanticepated was yet sudden.
He arose on Saturday morning about o'clock
and after dressing stood before the glass to
brush his hair. hrs. Downs was in the ad-
Joining room, and hearing noise hastened in
Just in time to catch him and prevent his fall
ing to the floor. Calling assistance, he was
placed upon the bed, and medical aid called
in, but OF no avail. He died about half-past
ten o'clock
Mr.. Downs was born in Pleasant Valley,
! Duchess County, New York, March IL, 1904,
and was the eldest son Of DIR. James Downs,
who traced his geneology back through seven
generations to VIM. Bradford, first Governor
of Plymouth Colony, and was therefore of the
old Puritan stock which came over in the
Mayhower. When about eigteen years Of age
young Downs moved to New York City,where
he engaged as a clerk, and some few years
later his fathers family also removed to the
city. Here he remained until 1881, when he
removed to Seneca Falls, and engaged in the
mercantile business, and subsequently engaged
in milling. April 18th, 1888, he married Miss
Emily Morgan. The disastrous years of 1886
and 1887 swept away his accumulations as it
did those Of 50 many others, and left him
bankrupt in all things except energy, business
tact and rigid honesty. In 1S4I he came to
Fremont, then Lower Snndusky, and was for
time employed as clerk in the house Of John
P. Haynes, but subsequently engaged in the
mercantile business with his brother-in-laW,
William N. Morgan. After few years they
purchased the milling property, now known
as the Downs mill, closed out their mercantile
business, and devoting their attention to the
milling business soon established a wide repu-
Sation, and drew custom for many miles round.
Mr.. Downs was elected mayor of the village
about the year lS4S, and discharged the duties
# the Office with impartiality. He continued
n active business until about eight years ago,
Shen, his health beginning to fail, he retired
rom the management, retaining, however his
interest in the mill. Mr. Morgan had previ-
'usly disposed of his interest to T. S. White
nd G. c. Canfeld. Mr.. Downs had five
hildren, Arthus D., Maj. VIM. F. and FIaveu
IL now Of Kansas, Mrs, G. c. Garfield Of this
ity, and Mrs. R. Edgerton of Little Rock,
arkansas. The sons were all present at the
uneral, as well as Mr.. A. G. Downs, brother
f deceased, the Oldest retail merchant at
jhicago.
He was the first OF his family to fall before
be destroyer. Five of his brothers are resi-
ents of Chicago and two of New York City
Lis only sister, the youngest of the family, ?
ssides at Joliet. =
As an instance of the business integrity Of u
Ir. Downs, it may be mentioned that when q
e went down in the crash of 1887, he took d
avantage of the bankrupt law, and was legal = !
, discharged from his debts, but notwith- d
anding this fact, as soon as he became pros
srous here, he discharged every obligation q
g had incurred previous to his failure He g
as man of method, prudent, economical d
ld careful, of equable temper, slow to anger,
ut persistent in what ne untertook, and en- u !.
yed the respect of all with whom he did "
1siness. His D'