George Agnew (Australian politician) explained

George Agnew
Constituency Am1:Nundah
Assembly1:Queensland Legislative
Term Start1:10 May 1888
Term End1:21 March 1896
Predecessor1:New seat
Successor1:Thomas Bridges
Birth Date:14 June 1853
Birth Place:Manchester, England
Death Place:Sandgate, Queensland, Australia
Restingplace:Toowong Cemetery
Birthname:George Agnew
Nationality:English Australian
Spouse:Mary Elizabeth Walmsley (m.1880 d.1930)
Occupation:Company director

George Agnew (14 June 1853 – 19 December 1934) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Biography

Agnew was born in Manchester, England, the son of Hugh Agnew and his wife Eliza (née Byron). After being employed in the Manchester railway works he migrated to Sydney in 1880 and then to Brisbane in 1882. He became the managing director of the Queensland Railway Carriage, Wagon & Tramcar Company and also Queensland Deposit and Grassdale Land Company.[1]

As a boy he was very interested in music and was a member on the choir of the Manchester Catholic Cathedral where he became associated with Leslie Stuart, who was the composer of Florodora and other musical comedies.[2]

On The 19 February 1880 he married Mary Elizabeth Walmsley[1] (died 1930)[3] and together had four sons and four daughters. One of his daughters, Beatrice, went on to marry William Webb, who was later a Judge on the High Court of Australia and also Chief Justice of Queensland.[2] [1] Agnew died at Fallowfield, his Sandgate home in December 1934 and his funeral proceeded from Fallowfield to the Toowong Cemetery.[4] [5]

Public career

At the 1888 Queensland colonial election, Agnew won the new seat of Nundah in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, defeating Robert Bulcock in a tight contest.[6] He easily held the seat in 1893, defeating Thomas Bridges and John Appel.[7] At the 1896 Queensland colonial election however, Bridges had his revenge and defeated Agnew.[8]

Agnew was also an alderman on the Sandgate Council.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former Members. Parliament of Queensland. 2016. 25 July 2016.
  2. News: Obituary . . 410 . Queensland, Australia . 20 December 1934 . 25 July 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  3. https://www.qld.gov.au/law/births-deaths-marriages-and-divorces/family-history-research/
  4. News: Family Notices . . 410 . Queensland, Australia . 20 December 1934 . 25 July 2016 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  5. https://graves.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
  6. News: The General Election. . . XLIV . 9,461 . Queensland, Australia . 11 May 1888 . 25 July 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: GENERAL ELECTION. . . XLIX . 11,030 . Queensland, Australia . 22 May 1893 . 25 July 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: GENERAL ELECTION. . . LII . 11,915 . Queensland, Australia . 23 March 1896 . 25 July 2016 . 6 . National Library of Australia.