John Owens (Australian politician)

John Downes Owens (1809 – 26 November 1866) was a medical doctor, miner's representative and politician in colonial Victoria (Australia), a member of the Victorian Legislative Council and later, the Victorian Legislative Assembly.^{[1] [2]}

Owens was born in Shropshire, England,^[1] the son of John Owens, a surgeon, and his wife Martha Owens, née Downes.^[2] Owens junior became doctor of medicine in 1840. In 1850 he sailed for Sydney, then in 1852 went to Melbourne and then Bendigo where he established a medical practice.^[2]

Owens was a nominated member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 5 November 1855^[3] until the original Council was abolished in March 1856.^[1] Owens was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Loddon from November 1856 – August 1859; and for Mandurang from August 1861 to July 1863.^[1]

Owens died on 26 November 1866 in Windsor, Victoria and was buried in St Kilda Cemetery.^[2]

References

1. "Owens, John Downes". re-member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria.
2. Johnston, Allan. "Owens, John Downes (1809–1866)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
3. Sweetman, Edward (1920). Constitutional Development of Victoria, 1851-6. Whitcombe & Tombs Limited. p. 180. Retrieved 31 July 2014.