Summary
John Lucas (24 June 1818 – 1 March 1902) was a builder and politician in colonial New South Wales, a member of both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.[1][2]
John Lucas | |
|---|---|
 1875 engraving | |
| Born | June 24, 1818 |
| Died | 1 March 1902 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Australian |
Early life edit
Lucas was born on 24 June 1818 at Kingston, part of Camperdown, to John Lucas, a miller and builder, and Mary née Rowley, a daughter of Thomas Rowley. He was educated at a Church of England school in Liverpool, and Captain Beveridge's boarding school.[3] He left school to be apprenticed as a carpenter,[1] the trade of his grandfather Nathaniel Lucas.[4]
Political career edit
He first stood for the Legislative Assembly at the 1859 election for Canterbury, but was unsuccessful.[5] He won the seat at the 1860 by-election, holding it at the 1860 general election. In December 1864 he was elected to both Canterbury,[5] and Hartley,[6] choosing to represent Hartley. He was defeated in an attempt to return to Canterbury at the election in December 1869.[5] He regained a seat in the assembly at the 1871 Canterbury by-election,[5] serving until his retirement in 1880. His only ministerial appointment was as Secretary for Mines in the third Robertson ministry from February 1875 until March 1877.[2] He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1880 and served until his death.[2]
Personal life edit
He married Ann Sammons on 4 January 1841 at Singleton, and they had five children.[1]
He was noted patron of the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains[7] where a cave and a tour have since been named in his honour.[8] He also maintained a holiday cottage on Lapstone Hill at the Eastern edge of the Blue Mountains. On the original Lapstone Zig Zag a station was built for him and named Lucasville. The remains of the station are still visible today.
Lucas died at Camperdown on 1 March 1902 (aged 83).[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Rathbone, R W (1974). "Lucas, John (1818-1902)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mr John Lucas (1818-1902)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- ^ Herman, Morton (1967). "Lucas Nathaniel (1764-1818)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 2. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d Green, Antony. "Elections for the District of Canterbury". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ Green, Antony. "1864-5 results Hartley". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ "John Lucas - Patron of the Jenolan Caves". jenolancaves.org.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009.
- ^ "The John Lucas Tour". jenolancaves.org.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009.
External links edit
- Photograph of John Lucas at the National Library of Australia https://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23460676