Born in Virginia, Illinois, Downing attended public and private schools.

He engaged in mercantile pursuits in Virginia, Illinois, and Butler, Missouri from 1864 to 1880.

Presented credentials as a Democratic Member-elect to the Fifty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1895, to June 5, 1896, when he was succeeded by John I. Rinaker, who contested his election.

He resumed the practice of law in Virginia, Illinois, and also engaged in the real-estate business.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress