George Watson (mayor)
George Watson (1852–1923) was mayor of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in 1892.
George Watson | |
|---|---|
 George Watson - 1892 | |
| 24th Mayor of Brisbane | |
| In office 1892–1892 | |
| Preceded by | John Allworth Clark |
| Succeeded by | John McMaster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Allworth Clark 11 April 1852 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 21 June 1923 (aged 71) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Toowong Cemetery |
| Nationality | Scottish Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Harriett Barnes (m.1877 d.1926) |
| Occupation | Plumber |
Personal life
George Watson was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 11 April 1852, the son of George Watson, senior, and his wife Elizabeth (née Lindsay).[1] Aged 10 years old, he immigrated to Brisbane on the ship Ocean Chief with his father. He attended the Brisbane Normal School.[2]
George Watson married Harriett Barnes, daughter of John Barnes and his wife Lydia (née Allwood), on 7 November 1877 in Brisbane.[1] The couple had nine children:
- Elizabeth Lucy (1879-1949)[1]
- Henry Thomas (1880-1883)[1]
- James Francis (1882-1967)[1]
- Gertrude Matilda (1884-1957, Mrs Whyte)[1]
- Lydia Beatrice (1886-1960, Mrs Eldred)[1]
- Daisy Lilian (1888-1978, Mrs Wyllie)[1]
- Helen Evelyn (1889-1905)[1]
- George (1891-1964)[1]
- Norman Mayor (1893-1918)[1]
Their son Norman Mayor Watson was a lance corporal in the Australian Imperial Forces in World War I and was killed in action on 5 April 1918. He was buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, near Albert, France.[3]
George Watson died of pneumonia after a short illness on the evening of Thursday 21 June 1923. .[1][2] He was buried in Toowong Cemetery. His widow Harriett died in 1926.[1]
Business life
At age 13 was apprenticed as a plumber to his father. When his father retired in 1880, the business was taken over by George and his brothers Thomas, James and John Douglas.[2]
Public life
George Watson was an alderman of Brisbane from 1891 to 1896 (East Ward) and was elected mayor on Saturday 6 February 1892.[4] Due to the need for continuing leadership during severe flooding, his term was extended in 1893 (normally a new election for mayor would have occurred in early 1893).[2]
He served on the following committees:[5]
- Finance Committee 1891, 1893–95
- Legislative Committee 1891, 1893–95
- Works Committee 1892, 1896
- Health Committee 1892
- Street Lighting Committee 1892
- Parks Committee 1896
Perhaps reflecting his trade as a plumber, George Watson was passionate about the importance of introducing a sewerage system into Brisbane.[6]
References
- Queensland Index of Births, Deaths & Marriages
- "MR. GEORGE WATSON". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 23 June 1923. p. 8. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- "Watson, Norman Mayor". CWGC – Casualty Details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- "TO-DAY, FEBRUARY 8". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 8 February 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- Brisbane City Council Archives
- "LETTEES TO EDITOR". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 28 January 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 21 October 2012.