Simon Fraser (Queensland politician)

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

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, Torbrack, in Highgate Hill.^[3] His funeral was held at his residence the next day^[3] and proceeded to the South Brisbane Cemetery.^[4]

References