Biographical Info
William A. Downs (June 1, 1821-unknown), a Gwinnett County native, worked as a mail carrier between Social Circle and Athens before he became an express messenger on the Georgia Railroad under Combs & Co.
When the firm sold out to the Adams Express Company, Downs went to work for the Georgia Railroad as baggage master. He remained in that role until 1865.
In, he returned to the express company for about a year. He then went to the Western & Atlantic Railroad as a conductor until 1874.
In 1874, he went to work for Atlanta & Charlotte Railroad, where he remained until he retired in 1878.