George Harris

George Harris (1831–1891) was a politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council.

Early life

George Harris was born in 1831 in London, England, the son of John Harris and his wife Sarah (née Walton). His family immigrated to Australia when he was two years old. They traded under the name Messrs. J. and G. Harris, merchants. The partnership was dissolved some years later, after which George Harris then embarked in business as a merchant on his own account under the name Messrs. George Harris and Co, a business he continued to operate until his death. Kate May (1862–1862) George Edmund (1863–1913) John Ernest (1864–1911) Edith Maud (1865–1925) Jane Eveline (born 1867)

Daughter Edith Maud married George Condamine Taylor of Bellevue Homestead, Esk in 1883. After his death, she married again in 1901 to Charles Lumley Hill, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the electoral districts of Gregory and Cook.

Daughter Jane Eveline married Richard Gardiner Casey of Normanby station, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Warrego. They were the parents of Australian Governor-General Richard Casey, Baron Casey.

In 1863, Harris was one of the founders and original trustees of the Queensland Turf Club, having arranged a land grant of 322 acres of land at Eagle Farm in Brisbane for the purpose of horse racing, now known as the Eagle Farm Racecourse. The other trustees were John Frederick McDougall and Maurice Charles O'Connell (all three were Members of the Queensland Legislative Council).

In the mid-1860s, George Harris engaged architect James Cowlishaw to construct a two-storey masonry building (known as Harris Terrace) in George Street, consisting of six terrace houses. Harris Terrace is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Later life On Sunday 10 January 1886, George Harris saw a snake near his house and put his foot on it. The snake coiled up his leg, putting Harris in danger. A visitor, T.W. Brown, grabbed a sword and slashed at the snake, but missed and cut Harris's foot, nearly severed one of his toes.

Harris died on Saturday 28 March 1891 at his residence Bankside, North Quay, Brisbane from a sudden laryngitis (swelling of the throat); he died in the arms of his son Ernest Harris. He was buried on Monday 30 March 1891 in Toowong Cemetery.

Miscellaneous

George and Jane Harris occupied the now heritage-listed Newstead House for 27 years, as tenants, then owners and then tenants again, where they entertained the members of Brisbane high society. Their parties were highlights of the social calendar.

The town of Harrisville is said to be named after George Harris and his brother John Harris.