John Cameron (Queensland politician, born 1845)

John Cameron (12 March 1845 – 25 June 1914) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

John Cameron
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Mitchell
In office 20 May 1893 – 4 April 1896
Preceded by	James Crombie
Succeeded by	Charles Fitzgerald
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Brisbane North
In office 10 August 1901 – 5 February 1908 Serving with Edward Forrest
Preceded by	Thomas MacDonald-Paterson
Succeeded by	Edward Barton
Personal details
Born	John Cameron (1845-03-12)12 March 1845 New Amsterdam, British Guiana
Died	25 June 1914(1914-06-25) (aged 69) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	Toowong Cemetery
Nationality	English Australian
Political party	Ministerialist
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Spouse(s)	Sarah Annie Lodge (m.1877 d.1893), Lousie Christine Heussler (m.1899 d.1917)
Relations	Sir Donald Cameron (son), John Heussler (father-in-law)
Occupation	Pastoralist, businessman

Early years

Cameron was born in New Amsterdam, British Guiana, to parents Donald Charles Cameron, plantation manager, and his wife Margaret Anne (née Moore).[2] His grandfather had been an officer of the 79th Highlanders at the Battle of Waterloo. His father left for Australia in 1852 and after settling in Victoria his family followed on the SS Great Britain the following year. On their arrival, the family took up Native Creek and later Berremboke stations near Geelong.[2]

Whilst in Victoria, Cameron attended Scotch College in Melbourne and Geelong Grammar School[1] where, he later claimed "I never did any good beyond being a good fighter".[2] After leaving school in 1859, he began work as a jackaroo and two years later the Camerons joined up with the Crombie family to drive their flocks to Barcaldine in Queensland. Around 1865, John Cameron went out on his own and found work as an overseer at Alice Downs before becoming manager of Wilby Downs.[2]

The Camerons and Crombies joined with others to form a business partnership that embraced seven properties which John later became a partner in. In 1877, the business was wound up but Cameron, along with his brother-in-law, James Crombie, kept control of Kensington Downs and Greenhills. After that partnership folded in 1881, Cameron joined with his mother in the running of Kensington Downs.[2]

Political career

Cameron, representing the Opposition, stood for the seat of Mitchell at the 1893 colonial election, and defeated Charles Fitzgerald, the Labour candidate, and J. Campbell, an independent.[3] He served one term before losing his seat to Fitzgerald in 1896.[4] At the 1899 election, Cameron, now representing the Ministerialists, stood for the seat of Barcoo but was defeated by Labour's George Kerr.[5]

In 1901, the state member for Brisbane North, Thomas MacDonald-Paterson, resigned the seat to enter Federal Parliament and Cameron was his replacement.[1] He held the seat until 1908 when ill-health forced his resignation.[6]

Personal life

Cameron married Sarah Annie Lodge in Mudgee and together had four sons and one daughter.[1] One of the sons, Sir Donald Cameron, went on to have a distinguished career in the Federal Parliament. Sarah died in 1893 and in 1899 he married Louise Christine Heussler, the daughter of John Heussler. This marriage realised one son.

Cameron died in Brisbane in June 1914[6] and after a private funeral was buried at Toowong Cemetery.[7]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
2. Cameron, John (1847–1914) – Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
3. "GENERAL ELECTION". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 23 May 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
4. "THE ELECTIONS". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 7 April 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
5. "GENERAL ELECTION". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 28 March 1899. p. 5. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
6. "DEATH OF MR. JOHN CAMERON". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 26 June 1914. p. 7. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
7. Cameron John – Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 3 May 2015.

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by James Crombie	Member for Mitchell 1893–1896	Succeeded by Charles Fitzgerald
Preceded by Thomas MacDonald-Paterson	Member for Brisbane North 1901–1908 Served alongside: Edward Forrest	Succeeded by Edward Barton