James Daniel Connolly (1869 - 1962)

Born 2 Dec 1869 in Allora, Queensland (Australia)

Husband of Catherine Charlotte (Edwards) Connolly — married 17 Nov 1898 in St Arnaud, Victoria (Australia)

Descendants

Died 12 Feb 1962 at age 92 in Hampstead, London, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

James Connolly is Notable.

Sir James Connolly was an Australian politician who served in both houses of the Parliament of Western Australia (Legislative Council from 1901 to 1914 and Legislative Assembly from 1914 to 1917) before gaining appointment as Agent-General for Western Australia in England (1917 to 1923) and Malta (1929 to 1932).

James Connolly was born in the Colony of Queensland (1859-1900)

James Daniel Connolly was born on 2nd December 1869 in Allora, Queensland (Australia). He was the son of Irish Catholic parents, Denis Connolly, a labourer and farmer, and Johanna Callaghan. ^[1] He was initially educated at nearby Warwick, but later attended St Joseph's College, Brisbane; before training as a quantity surveyor.

James went to the Western Australian goldfields in 1893, working as a building contractor, and in 1899 was elected to the Kalgoorlie Town Council.

James married Catherine Edwards on 17th November 1898 in the Roman Catholic Church, St Arnaud, Victoria. Together, the couple had six daughters, the third of whom died in infancy:

1. Catherine Johannah Grace (1899-)
2. Veronica Eileen (1901-81); married John Bethell in 1927 in London; became entitled as Baroness Bethell in 1945, however, divorced in 1948
3. Phyllis Mary (1903-03); infant mortality
4. Marjorie Doreen Mary (1906-)
5. Nancy Frances (1907-82); married Gerald Bevan in 1946 in London
6. Joan Dorothy (1909-62); married Herbert Parker in 1940 in Buckinghamshire

In 1901, he successfully stood in a by-election for the Legislative Council. He was appointed to the ministry in 1906, becoming Colonial Secretary and Minister for Commerce and Labour. In early 1914, James resigned from the Legislative Council in order to contest the Legislative Assembly for the seat of Perth at the 1914 election. In July 1916, he was appointed an honorary minister. ^[2]

James resigned from parliament in June 1917 to accept the position of Agent-General for Western Australia, representing the state government in London.

In the King's Birthday Honours 1920, James was created Knight Bachelor as Agent-General for Western Australia in London. ^[3]

He continued in London in that role until 1923. From 1929 to 1932 he was Agent-General for Malta, during which time he helped promote Maltese immigration to Australia.

James and Elizabeth remained in London for the remainder of his life, a further thirty years, serving as a director of various companies and banks.

Aged 92 years, he passed away on 12th February 1962 in a nursing home Hampstead, London. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Birth Index #/1869
2. ↑ Parliament of Western Australia; accessed 16 Apr 2024
3. ↑ Australian Honours: Knight Bachelor; accessed 16 Apr 2024
4. ↑ UK FreeBD Death Index Mar qtr 1962, vol 5c, page 1100

See also

• Wikipedia: James Daniel Connolly; accessed 16 Apr 2024.