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
- director of China Traders Company
- trustee of Harrold Brothers
- director, Norwich Union Assurance Company
- director, Elder, Smith, & 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[edit]
References[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 & Co., Limited". The Advertiser. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1936. p. 32. Retrieved 14 November 2012.