Elias Solomon

Elias Solomon
Born	Template:Birth date London, England
Died	May 23, 1909(1909-05-23) (aged 69)
Occupation(s)	Politician, auctioneer
Years active	1868–1903
Known for	Mayor of Fremantle, MLA for South Fremantle, Member of the Australian House of Representatives for Fremantle

Elias Solomon (2 September 1839 – 23 May 1909) was a prominent Australian political figure associated with Fremantle. His public service included tenure as Mayor of Fremantle, representation as MLA for South Fremantle, and distinction as the inaugural Member for Fremantle in the Australian House of Representatives.

Early life

Elias was born in London to Leah and Moss Solomon and emigrated to Australia during his childhood. Initially residing in Sydney, the family later settled in Adelaide. His uncle, Emanuel Solomon, owned the Queen's Theatre, where his father briefly held a managerial role. Following the death of Moss Solomon in 1849, Leah returned to Adelaide, where Elias received his education at the Adelaide Educational Institution.

Career

Upon completing his education, Solomon entered his uncle’s commercial ventures and, in 1857, traveled to Mauritius to procure merchandise. Subsequently, he gained experience working with Solomon and Salom in Adelaide and later with Falk and Co. in Melbourne.

At the age of 29, Solomon moved to Fremantle, arriving in January 1868. That same year, he co-established Solomon & Nephews, Auctioneers and Agents, taking on roles as clerk and auctioneer. The enterprise received partial financial backing from his half-brother Judah Moss Solomon based in Melbourne and brother-in-law Isaac Solomon from Adelaide.

During a period marked by economic downturn, Solomon voiced concerns regarding his nephews’ engagement in amateur theatrical activities, fearing these distractions might undermine their business commitments.

In 1881, he secured election to the Fremantle City Council. A decade later, in 1892, he gained a seat in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly representing South Fremantle. He maintained this position until 1901 when he transitioned to federal politics. Running as a candidate for the Free Trade Party, he won the newly created federal electorate of Fremantle, though he was defeated by William Carpenter of the Labor in 1903. Solomon passed away in 1909.

Beyond politics, he chaired the board overseeing the Fremantle Cemetery, where he was ultimately laid to rest.

Ocean View residence

Solomon’s home, named Ocean View, located at 134 Solomon Street in Beaconsfield, was constructed in 1887 featuring Victorian Regency architectural design. Following his death, this property functioned as a military hospital during World War One until 1917 and subsequently served as a maternity hospital during the interwar years. It has since been restored to private residential use and is listed on the heritage register. In recognition of Elias Solomon’s legacy, Mary Street was renamed Solomon Street during the 1950s.

Family

Solomon was married twice: initially to Agnes Elizabeth Bickley ( – 1886), daughter of Wallace Bickley, and following her death, he wed Elizabeth Stokes (1868–1898) in 1887. Together they had five children.

• Wallace Elias Bickley Solomon (1878–1950) served as the first secretary and honorary solicitor for the Royal Western Australian Historical Society beginning in 1926.
• Maurice Elias Solomon (1888–1977) pursued a career in law and held office as a councillor for the City of Fremantle.

See also

• Solomon family for comprehensive information about this notable lineage

External links

• Distinguished Australian Jews