John Davis (Australian politician)

John Sydney Davis (1817 – 30 September 1893) was an early pastoralist and MLC in colonial Western Australia.

John Davis
19th century photograph of John Davis
Western Australian Legislative Council
In office 12 March 1884 – 27 October 1884
Constituency	Geraldton, Western Australia
Personal details
Born	John Sydney Davis 1817 Galway, Ireland
Died	30 September 1893 Tibradden, Rathfarnham, Ireland
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Sarah Heal
Residence	Greenough, Western Australia
Occupation	Pastoralist

Career

Early life

Born in Galway, Ireland in 1817, nothing is known of his life until he arrived in Western Australia on board the Trusty in about 1842. Initially he lived at Australind, then moved to Hotham River to manage William Burges' station there. Later he was at York in partnership with Robert de Burgh.

Pastoralism

In 1850, Davis joined a group of pastoralists including Major Logue, William and Lockier Burges, and Thomas and Kenneth Brown, in overlanding stock from York to Greenough. From 1852 he was partner in a lease of Glengarry, and the following year he settled at Tibradden Station.

Western Australian Legislative Council

On 12 March 1884, John Davis was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council seat of Geraldton in a by-election. He held the seat until 27 October 1884. He died at Tibradden on 30 September 1893. In 1858 he became a Justice of the Peace.

Personal life

In 1854 he married Sarah Heal at Fremantle.

References

• Black, David; Bolton, Geoffrey (2001). Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Volume One, 1870–1930 (Revised ed.). Parliament House: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0730738140.