Downing, John William

DOWNING, John William (1815–1870), was born at Stonehouse, Devon, son of David Downing and his wife Mary. By 1841, he trained as a stone mason. He was twice married, to Agnes Hilson in 1836, with whom he had ten children; and Mary Burgess before migrating to Moreton Bay where he arrived in June 1855 when his occupation was given as quarryman. In the boom conditions of the early 1860s. he was an energetic speculative builder who was residing at Spring Hill when he was judged insolvent in 1866. Thereafter he lived at Eagle Farm where he provided plans for a new Wesleyan Church in 1867. When he died from injuries sustained after falling from a dray, he was described as an old and much respected colonist. Downing St, Spring Hill is named for him.