Simon Fraser (Queensland politician)

Simon Fraser (1824 – 8 January 1889) was an auctioneer and a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Simon Fraser
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Town Of Brisbane
In office 26 September 1868 – 17 August 1870 Serving with Kevin O'Doherty, Theophilus Pugh, George Edmondstone
Preceded by	Alexander Pritchard
Succeeded by	Ratcliffe Pring
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Bundamba
In office 29 November 1873 – 19 November 1878
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	William Hendren
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Brisbane South
In office 6 April 1880 – 12 May 1888
Preceded by	Angus Mackay
Succeeded by	Henry Jordan
Personal details
Born	Simon Fraser 1824 Inverness, Scotland
Died	8 January 1889 (Aged 64 or 65) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	South Brisbane Cemetery
Nationality	Scottish Australian
Spouse(s)	Lucy Ann Simpson (m.1856 d.1930)
Occupation	Ironmonger, Auctioneer

Early years

Fraser was born in Inverness, Scotland, to parents Alexander Fraser and his wife Janet. Educated at Inverness, he ran an ironmongery business in Liverpool before leaving for Queensland in 1862. With John Buckland, he founded the partnership of Fraser & Buckland, auctioneers with the business later becoming Fraser & Son. Based in Queen Street, Brisbane, Fraser & Son were land and commission agents as well as stock, station and produce brokers.[1]

Political career

Fraser was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, during which time he represented three seats: Town Of Brisbane from 1868–1870, Bundamba from 1873–1878, and Brisbane South from 1880–1888. From 1884 until 1888 he was Chairman of Committees and carried out the role with "the strictest impartiality and conscientiousness in the discharge of his duties".[1]

Always sitting and voting with the liberal members of the house and although a dull speaker, he was greatly respected by the other members. Fraser was a member of the Board of Education in 1874, and supported free, secular, compulsory education to primary level. He also held the view however that the government should not subsidise secondary or advanced education since this would not promote self-reliance and independence.[1]

Personal life

On the 5 September 1856, Fraser married Lucy Ann Simpson (died 1930)[2] in London and together had 3 sons and five daughters. He was greatly interested in church work and had been involved with the Grey Street Congregational Church since its establishment in 1866. Fraser also helped form the Brisbane Sunday School Union and was its president on three occasions.[1]

Fraser died in January 1889 at his home, Torbreck, in Highgate Hill.[3][4] His funeral was held at his residence the next day[3] and proceeded to the South Brisbane Cemetery.[5]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
2. Family history research — Queensland Government births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
3. "MR. SIMON FRASER'S DEATH". The Brisbane Courier. 9 January 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 23 May 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "BRISBANE'S HISTORIC HOMES". The Queenslander. 7 January 1932. p. 35. Retrieved 15 October 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
5. Fraser Simon Archived 23 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 23 May 2015.

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Alexander Pritchard	Member for Town Of Brisbane 1868–1870 Served alongside: Kevin O'Doherty, Theophilus Pugh, George Edmondstone	Succeeded by Ratcliffe Pring
New seat	Member for Bundamba 1873–1878	Succeeded by William Hendren
Preceded by Angus Mackay	Member for Brisbane South 1880–1888	Succeeded by Henry Jordan