John Francis Dowling

Who was John Francis Dowling?

John Francis Dowling was an Ontario physician and political figure. He represented Renfrew South in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal member from 1883 to 1886 and from 1890 to 1894.

He was born in Appleton, Lanark County, Canada West in 1851, the son of Irish immigrants. He studied at the University of Ottawa and McGill College. He set up practice in Eganville. In 1875, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of James Bonfield who had previously represented Renfrew South in the provincial assembly. Dowling's election in 1883 was appealed in 1883 and 1884; he won the by-elections that followed. He was defeated in the general election held in 1886 by John Alfred McAndrew but then reelected in 1890. He died on September 25, 1926.