Born in Brazil, Indiana. Married to Anna Rybak in 1928 without children. He attended DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana, and Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, Indiana. Employed by Western Electric Company from 1921 until his death.

He began collecting coins about 1940. He became friends with Henry Hines and later Dr, William Sheldon. After Hines died, Downing acquired most of his library. He attempted to assemble a photographic record of the finest known cents. He discovered a unique Lord Baltimore Shilling that went to the ANS collection.

He assisted William Sheldon with the large cent reference book but asked that his name not be included as an author. He consigned an important large cent collection to the 1952 ANA sale. He marked his 1794 cents with yellow ink filling in the H and D in HUNDRED in the edge lettering. Remainders from his collection were sold at auction by Kosoff December 9, 1952. He died at home in the Bronx. He is interred next to his parents in Brazil, Indiana.

obit: NUM 64 Aug 1951 page 878-880 (photo)