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George Downer

Alexander George Downer (28 January 1839 – 17 August 1916), usually known as George, or A. G. Downer, was a South Australian businessman and a partner with his brother Sir John Downer in the legal firm G & J Downer.[1]

History edit

George Downer was born in Adelaide, the eldest of four sons of Henry Downer, the others being Henry Edward Downer[2] (22 March 1836 – 4 August 1905), John William Downer (1843–1915), and Harold Field Downer[3] (1847 – 23 May 1887). He was educated at Francis Haire's Academy and while quite young was articled to the firm of Bartley, Bakewell & Stow, whose principals included Randolph Isham Stow. He combined study of law, for which he had a ready talent, with journalism, and was for a time editor of the (Adelaide) Telegraph. He was admitted to the bar in 1868. His brother John had only recently qualified and the two entered into partnership. The firm G & J Downer prospered and was eventually taken over by Frank H. and J. Fred Downer, sons of his brothers Henry Edward and John respectively.

His only attempt at a position in Parliament was in 1870 when he contested the seat of Gumeracha against Ebenezer Ward and Arthur Blyth. He was unsuccessful.[4]

Around 1880 he was appointed by the government to a Pastoral Commission and was in a large part responsible for lengthening the tenure of leases of Crown lands.

Pastoralist Francis John Whitby, a fellow student at Haire's Academy was a lifelong friend. Downer never married. After his death at his (c. 170) South Terrace residence, his Adelaide Hills property "Monalta" (previously known as "Hope Lodge")[5] near the Belair railway station, was subdivided. The mansion eventually became Blackwood District Community Hospital.[6] Sir John, his brother, had predeceased him on 2 August 1915 and his sister Amelia Rivaz had died on 21 July 1916.

Business activities edit

He was much in demand for his business acumen as well as his knowledge of mercantile law. For around twenty years he was a

He relinquished these positions in May 1914 as his health deteriorated.

  • He invested in a northern pastoral property which was resumed by the Government, then in 1888 a share of Minburra station and an adjoining property, making Melton Station, about 40 km from Yunta.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "A Splendid Citizen". The Chronicle. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 19 August 1916. p. 37. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Death of Mr. H. E. Downer". The Adelaide Observer. Vol. LXII, no. 3, 332. South Australia. 12 August 1905. p. 28. Retrieved 7 May 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Death of Mr. Harold F. Downer". South Australian Register. Vol. LII, no. 12, 644. South Australia. 24 May 1887. p. 6. Retrieved 7 May 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "A Versatile Personality". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 9 October 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Missionary Students Migrating". The Register. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 7 May 1907. p. 4. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Out Among the People". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 18 November 1953. p. 4. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Elder,Smith & Co., Limited". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1936. p. 32. Retrieved 14 November 2012.

george, downer, alexander, january, 1839, august, 1916, usually, known, george, downer, south, australian, businessman, partner, with, brother, john, downer, legal, firm, downer, contents, history, business, activities, also, referenceshistory, edit, born, ade. Alexander George Downer 28 January 1839 17 August 1916 usually known as George or A G Downer was a South Australian businessman and a partner with his brother Sir John Downer in the legal firm G amp J Downer 1 Contents 1 History 2 Business activities 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory editGeorge Downer was born in Adelaide the eldest of four sons of Henry Downer the others being Henry Edward Downer 2 22 March 1836 4 August 1905 John William Downer 1843 1915 and Harold Field Downer 3 1847 23 May 1887 He was educated at Francis Haire s Academy and while quite young was articled to the firm of Bartley Bakewell amp Stow whose principals included Randolph Isham Stow He combined study of law for which he had a ready talent with journalism and was for a time editor of the Adelaide Telegraph He was admitted to the bar in 1868 His brother John had only recently qualified and the two entered into partnership The firm G amp J Downer prospered and was eventually taken over by Frank H and J Fred Downer sons of his brothers Henry Edward and John respectively His only attempt at a position in Parliament was in 1870 when he contested the seat of Gumeracha against Ebenezer Ward and Arthur Blyth He was unsuccessful 4 Around 1880 he was appointed by the government to a Pastoral Commission and was in a large part responsible for lengthening the tenure of leases of Crown lands Pastoralist Francis John Whitby a fellow student at Haire s Academy was a lifelong friend Downer never married After his death at his c 170 South Terrace residence his Adelaide Hills property Monalta previously known as Hope Lodge 5 near the Belair railway station was subdivided The mansion eventually became Blackwood District Community Hospital 6 Sir John his brother had predeceased him on 2 August 1915 and his sister Amelia Rivaz had died on 21 July 1916 Business activities editHe was much in demand for his business acumen as well as his knowledge of mercantile law For around twenty years he was a director of China Traders Company trustee of Harrold Brothers director Norwich Union Assurance Company director Elder Smith amp Co from 1892 7 director Bank of Adelaide from around 1894 and Chairman for most of that time He relinquished these positions in May 1914 as his health deteriorated He invested in a northern pastoral property which was resumed by the Government then in 1888 a share of Minburra station and an adjoining property making Melton Station about 40 km from Yunta See also editDowner familyReferences edit A Splendid Citizen The Chronicle Adelaide National Library of Australia 19 August 1916 p 37 Retrieved 13 November 2012 Death of Mr H E Downer The Adelaide Observer Vol LXII no 3 332 South Australia 12 August 1905 p 28 Retrieved 7 May 2018 via National Library of Australia Death of Mr Harold F Downer South Australian Register Vol LII no 12 644 South Australia 24 May 1887 p 6 Retrieved 7 May 2018 via National Library of Australia A Versatile Personality The Register Adelaide National Library of Australia 9 October 1917 p 6 Retrieved 14 November 2012 Missionary Students Migrating The Register Adelaide National Library of Australia 7 May 1907 p 4 Retrieved 14 November 2012 Out Among the People The Advertiser Adelaide National Library of Australia 18 November 1953 p 4 Retrieved 14 November 2012 Elder Smith amp Co Limited The Advertiser Adelaide National Library of Australia 1 September 1936 p 32 Retrieved 14 November 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Downer amp oldid 1189718645, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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