John Lucas | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 1 March 1902 | (aged 83)
Nationality | Australian |
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]
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]
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]
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[1]
(aged 83).