John Lucas (Australian politician)

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(1818-06-24)June 24, 1818
Camperdown
Died1 March 1902(1902-03-01) (aged 83)
Camperdown
NationalityAustralian

Early life

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

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

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(1902-03-01) (aged 83).[1]

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Mr John Lucas (1818-1902)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  3. Mennell, Philip (1892). "Lucas, Hon. John" . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
  4. 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.
  5. Green, Antony. "Elections for the District of Canterbury". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  6. Green, Antony. "1864-5 results Hartley". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  7. "John Lucas - Patron of the Jenolan Caves". jenolancaves.org.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009.
  8. "The John Lucas Tour". jenolancaves.org.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009.

 

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