John Gately Downey (June 24, 1827 – March 1, 1894) was Governor of California from January 14, 1860 to January 10, 1862. Born in 1827 in County Roscommon, Ireland, he was elected as Lieutenant Governor and became governor upon the resignation of Governor Milton Latham, 5 days after his January 9 inauguration. Downey, California is named after him. He died in 1894 in San Francisco, California.

Also a founding father of The University of Southern California.

1827 births | 1894 deaths | Governors of California | Irish-American politicians | Irish-born United States political figures | Natives of County Roscommon