Date of Birth: 09/02/1851
Place of Birth: Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Date of Death: 28/03/1926
Place of Death: East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
| Member of the NSW Legislative Council |
30 Aug 1892 |
28 Mar 1926 |
33 years 6 months 28 days |
Life Appointment under the Constitution Act: Date of Writ of Summons 30 April 1892. |
| Borough of Newcastle Electric Lighting Bill Committee No.40 (No.2) |
06 Nov 1890 |
12 Nov 1890 |
7 days |
|
| Borough of Newcastle Electric Lighting Bill Committee No.23 |
01 Jul 1890 |
16 Jul 1890 |
16 days |
|
| West Wallsend Coal Company (Limited) Bill Committee No.28 |
12 Sep 1889 |
24 Sep 1889 |
13 days |
|
| Stockton Gas and Electricity Bill Committee No.24 |
10 Jul 1889 |
19 Jul 1889 |
10 days |
|
| The Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 |
28 Feb 1889 |
28 Feb 1889 |
1 day |
Chairman |
| Member for Newcastle |
02 Feb 1889 |
06 Jun 1891 |
2 years 4 months 5 days |
|
| Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly |
02 Feb 1889 |
06 Jun 1891 |
2 years 4 months 5 days |
|
Political Party Activity
Progressive
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Lawyer (solicitor); mine-owner; pastoralist; and businessman. Educated at Fraser's private school, West Maitland.; father died when aged eight; articled to step-father. Admitted as a solicitor in 1873 but did not practise, instead entering the colliery business, J and A Brown, founded by his uncles. Took over the firm's Newcastle office in 1877 and was dismissed in 1883. Acquired a share in the New Lambton mines from his cousin in exchange for relinquishing his share in J and A Brown. Managed the New Lambton mines and turned it into the New Lambton Land and Coal Company Limited in 1891. Took an independent line in industrial disputes, sometimes supporting the miners. In 1884 became the Manager of the Newcastle branch of Dalgety and Company Limited and in 1905, its Managing Director. Acquired large pastoral interests. Became the President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce in 1888 and 1892. President of the Hunter District Water Supply and Sewerage Board between 1882 and 1926 for which he was paid a salary of £300 per annum.
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of William, a medical practitioner, and Mary, nee O'Keefe. Married (1) Mary Ellen Ribbands on 8 August 1872 and had issue, 3 daughters and 6 sons. Married (2) Edith Mary Adams on 27 March 1920. Presbyterian.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, under Brown, John
Personal papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales:
papers, 1872 - 1956 (MLMSS 6585); photographs in the PICMAN Database.
