John Leahy (politician)

John Leahy (15 July 1854 – 20 January 1909) was a newspaper proprietor and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

The Honourable John Leahy
Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
In office 23 July 1907 – 20 January 1909
Preceded by	Alfred Cowley
Succeeded by	Joshua Thomas Bell
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Bulloo
In office 25 April 1893 – 20 January 1909
Preceded by	John Donaldson
Succeeded by	Frank Allen
Personal details
Born	(1854-07-15)15 July 1854 Schull, Cork, Ireland
Died	20 January 1909(1909-01-20) (aged 54) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	Toowong Cemetery
Nationality	Irish Australian
Political party	Ministerialist
Other political affiliations	Opposition Party, Independent
Spouse(s)	Annie Colbert (m.1886)
Relations	Patrick Leahy (brother)
Occupation	Publican, Newspaper proprietor

Leahy was born at Schull, Cork, to Patrick Leahy, farmer, and his wife Mary (née Coghlan). After receiving his education he moved to Queensland where he was said to have worked as a rural labourer before becoming postmaster at Windorah then settling in Thargomindah.[2] It was here that Leahy held a partnership in a cordial factory and, with his brother Patrick, became part-owner of the Thargomindah Herald. From 1886 until 1889 he was also the proprietor of the Royal Hotel which was located in the main street of the town.[2]

Political career

Leahy was the member for Bulloo from 1893 until his death in 1909.[1] He was minister for Railways and Public Works from 1901–1903 and Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1907–1909.[1]

Personal life

On the 11 February 1886, Leahy married Annie Colbert at Thargomindah and together had one son and six daughters.[1]

Leahy died in Brisbane in 1909. His funeral moved from his home in New Farm to the Toowong Cemetery.[3]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
2. Leahy, John (1854–1909) — Australian Dictionary of Biography Retrieved 22 December 2015.
3. "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. 21 January 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 22 December 2015 – via National Library of Australia.

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Alfred Cowley	Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland 1907–1909	Succeeded by Joshua Thomas Bell
Preceded by John Donaldson	Member for Bulloo 1893–1909	Succeeded by Frank Allen