Kentucky: A History of the State. Perrin, Battle & Kniffin, 6th ed.,1887,
Spencer Co.

JOSEPH S. DOWNS was born in Spencer County, Ky., January 6, 1841.  He is
the fifth of a family of seven born to James and Elizabeth (Shields) Downs.
James was born near Nelson County, Ky., was a distiller for a number of
years, and was also engaged in farming.  He was a son of Benjamin, who was
born in Maryland, settled in Nelson County, Ky., and was a farmer and
distiller.  Mrs. Elizabeth Downs was born in Nelson County, Ky., daughter
of Francis Shields, who was a shoemaker by trade.  Joseph S. Downs received
a common-school education.  He is quite a stock trader, dealing in mules,
horses, cattle, etc., which he buys and feeds for the market.  He married,
October 29, 1863, Vina C. McGruder, of Bullitt County, and nine children
have blessed their union, five living: James L., Maud, Claude, Bessie and
Tilden.  Mrs. Downs died November 18, 1882, and our subject married,
December 18, 1883, Jennie L. Skinner, daughter of Amos Skinner of Lincoln
County, Ky.  Mr. Downs owns a fine farm of 700 acres, and is considered one
of the wealthiest farmers in Spencer County.

Downs Shields McGruder Skinner
=
Nelson MD Bullitt Lincoln