Thomas J. Downing

Thomas Joseph Downing (May 25, 1867 – December 24, 1927) was an American lawyer and politician, who served in the Virginia Senate from 1920 until his death in office in 1927, shortly after he was reelected to a third term. Previously, he served on the staff of Governor Henry Carter Stuart, granting him use of the honorific title of "Colonel". Representing a district composed of King George, Richmond, Westmoreland, Lancaster, and Northumberland counties, he was notable for sponsoring a bill to construct a bridge over the Rappahannock River at Tappahannock, Virginia. The bill was signed into law, and the span was designated the Thomas J. Downing Bridge in Downing's honor.^[1]

Downing's grandson, Thomas N. Downing, served in the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1957, representing Virginia's 1st congressional district.