Simon Fraser (Queensland politician)

Australian politician (1824–1889)

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| Lucy Ann Simpson (m.1856 d.1930)
Occupation| Ironmonger, Auctioneer

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

## Early years

[edit]

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

[edit]

Fraser was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, during which time he represented three seats: Town Of Brisbane from 1868 to 1870, Bundamba from 1873 to 1878, and Brisbane South from 1880 to 1888. From 1884 to 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

[edit]

On 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

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e "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. ^ a b "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

Authority control databases: People |

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* Australia

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