The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 512-513
Robert R. Downard, son of James and Elizabeth Downard, was born March 11, 1822, in Morgan County, Ind. He lived at home till his marriage, which occurred March 16, 1848, to Catherine King, who was born in Kentucky, July 20, 1823. When she was nine years of age her parents, William and Elizabeth King, settled in Washington Township, where her father died. Her mother died in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Downard have had six children---Louesa, the eldest, who died at the age of fifteen months; William A. and Albert B., residents of Greenwood County, Kan.; Henry F. and Jennie May, at home; and Fanny L., who died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Downard bought the place where he resides in 1867. His home farm contains 252 acres of land, located in sections 6 and 31. In 1874 he rented his farm and went to Greenwood County, Kan., where he bought two farms, one of 225 acres and one of 162 acres. He still owns these farms which are now occupied by his two eldest sons. Mr. Downard returned to this county in 1882. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. His father, James Downard, was a native of Pennsylvania. He spent his youth in Ohio, and from there went to Kentucky, where he was married. His wife was a native of Kentucky. After his marriage he lived in Ohio eleven years, and in February, 1823, he emigrated to this county, and located in Guilford Township. He was an energetic businessman, and was possessed of considerable means. He entered 900 acres of Government land in different of the country, a part of the town site of Danville covering one of his land entries. He donated twenty acres of land for county buildings on which the court-house now stands. Mr. Downard was in early days County Judge. His first home was in Guilford Township, and is now owned and occupied by the State Reform School. He reared a large family to maturity--Mrs. Cynthia Russell, died in Clinton County; Mary Ann, married Rev. Andrew Prather, and died in Texas; Mrs. Jane Burks, residing in Illinois; Mrs. Sarah Little, died in this county; Adam of Danville; Robert R., our subject; David M., of Marion Township; Jonathan, died in California; William, died in Missouri; and Thompson, in Clinton County, Ind. James Downard and his wife are both deceased.