James McColl (politician)

James Hiers McColl (31 January 1844 – 20 February 1929) was an Australian politician. Prior to Federation in 1901, he was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (1886–1900) and twice held ministerial office. He was known for his interest in agriculture, particularly new irrigation techniques. In the new federal parliament he first represented the Division of Echuca (1901–1906) in the House of Representatives and then served as a Senator for Victoria (1907–1914). He was Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Cook Government (1913–1914).

The Honourable
James McColl
Vice-President of the Executive Council
In office
24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914
Prime MinisterJoseph Cook
Preceded byGregor McGregor
Succeeded byAlbert Gardiner
Senator for Victoria
In office
1 January 1907 – 5 September 1914
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Echuca
In office
29 March 1901 – 8 November 1906
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byAlbert Palmer
Personal details
Born(1844-01-31)31 January 1844
South Shields, Durham, England
Died20 February 1929(1929-02-20) (aged 85)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Political partyProtectionist (1901–04)
Anti-Socialist (1904–09)
Liberal (1909–14)
Spouses
Emily Boyle
​
(m. 1867⁠–⁠1898)​
    Sarah Ann Thomas
    ​
    (m. 1900)​
    RelationsHugh McColl (father)
    OccupationInsurance agent

    Early life

    McColl was born in South Shields, County Durham, England, the son of Hugh McColl, and migrated with his family to Australia in 1853, but his mother died before they landed in Melbourne. McColl was educated at the Model School, Sandhurst and for a time at Scotch College, Melbourne. He married Emily Boyle in January 1867 and subsequently became an insurance agent and legal manager.[1]

    Colonial politics

    McColl supported irrigation and closer settlement and won the seat of Mandurang in the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1886, moving to the seat of Gunbower in 1889. He was Minister of Mines and of Water Supply from January 1893 to September 1894 and President of the Board of Land and Works, Commissioner Crown Lands and Survey and Minister of Forests from December 1899 to November 1900. As minister, he was responsible for the first purchase of large estates so that they could be sub-divided for closer settlement.[1][2]

    Federal politics
    Portrait of McColl by Swiss Studios

    McColl was a strong supporter of Australian federation and won the House of Representatives seat of Echuca at the first federal election, in 1901 as a Protectionist. At the 1906 election, he moved to the Senate, his term commencing on 1 January 1907.[3] He was the first person to have served in both houses of the federal parliament.

    He was appointed Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Cook Ministry from June 1913 to September 1914.[3] He was defeated at the 1914 election.[1]

    Personal life

    McColl bought an irrigation farm at Gunbower (near Cohuna), but later retired to the Melbourne suburb of Deepdene. His first wife had died in 1898 and he remarried Sarah Ann Thomas in January 1900. He died in Melbourne (aged 85), survived by his wife and their two sons and a daughter and two daughters from his first marriage.[1]

    Notes
    1. M. Rolfe, Amanda (1986). "McColl, James Hiers (1844–1929)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
    2. "McColl, James Hiers". re-member. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
    3. Fredman, L E (2000). "McCOLL, James Hiers (1844–1929)". The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
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