John Downing on the Porch of his Home in Beachville

John Downing (April 1, 1849 – April 14, 1938) was born in Parkham, Devon. He immigrated to Canada with his family at age 2. As a schoolboy, he spent weekends and holidays helping his father and his father’s partners in their lime businesses. At 13, he was running one of his father’s sites.

In 1880, John purchased a home near his expanding business. It was on the west side of the road leading to the quarries. His business partner, Alexander Bremner, had already bought the home on the east side of the road in 1877. Above, John is pictured on the front porch of the house he shared with his wife, Henrietta and their 3 kids.