[2] Known to his intimates as "Major" Downing,[3] he worked for much of his life as a pilot for riverboats on the Mississippi River.

Notably, his work with the young Samuel Clemens led to a literary appearance years later: writing under the name of "Mark Twain", Clemens portrayed him in the book Life on the Mississippi.

One of his two sons, John B. Jr., was the house's namesake[4] Downing's house in Middleport is a brick building with a foundation of sandstone, an asphalt roof, and elements of wood and various types of metal.

Designed by R.A. Miller and Frederick Crowther, it includes architectural elements that later became known as components of the Colonial Revival style.

[5] Two stories tall with an attic in the gables, the house has single-story wings whose flat roofs are enclosed by railings.