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

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  1. ^ a b c d "John Downes Owens". Re-Member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Johnston, Allan. "Owens, John Downes (1809–1866)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. ^ Sweetman, Edward (1920). Constitutional Development of Victoria, 1851-6. Whitcombe & Tombs Limited. p. 180. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
Victorian Legislative Council
New seat Nominated member
5 November 1855 – March 1856
Original Council
abolished
Victorian Legislative Assembly
New district Member for Loddon
November 1856 – August 1859
With: Ebenezer Syme
District abolished
Preceded by Member for Mandurang
August 1861 – July 1863
With: James Sullivan
Succeeded by