Francis Connor
Francis Connor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1857 Newry, County Armagh, Ireland |
| Died | 1916-08-24 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, pastoralist, legislator |
| Years active | 1893–1916 |
| Known for | Member of the Parliament of Western Australia (Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council) |
Francis Connor (1857 – 24 August 1916) was a prominent Australian entrepreneur, pastoralist, and legislator who held positions in both chambers of the Parliament of Western Australia. He represented the Legislative Assembly from 1893 until 1905 and subsequently served in the Legislative Council from 1906 until his passing.
Early life
Originally from Newry, County Armagh, Ireland, Connor emigrated to Sydney, Australia, in 1885 before relocating to Wyndham within the Kimberley district. There, he joined forces with his Irish schoolmate Denis Doherty, who also pursued a political career. Their business began by supplying provisions to the Kimberley goldfields and later expanded into the cattle trade, acquiring extensive pastoral leases in the Northern Territory, including Newry Station and Auvergne Station. In 1897, Connor and Doherty consolidated their ventures with those of Michael Durack, establishing the firm Connor, Doherty & Durack.
Politics
Connor entered Western Australian politics in 1893 through a by-election for East Kimberley, succeeding William Baker after his death. He maintained this seat until its dissolution in 1904, after which he contested and won the Kimberley electorate. During that year, Connor was among four independent members whose support enabled Henry Daglish to establish Western Australia's inaugural Labor minority government. This administration endured slightly over one year. In the 1905 election, Connor was defeated by Arthur Male. Nevertheless, he re-entered parliament in 1906 by securing a seat in the Legislative Council for North Province and was re-elected in 1912.
Death
Connor passed away while still serving in office in August 1916 at age 59 due to an accidental firearm injury at his property in Benger. The fatal incident occurred as he was loading a gun in preparation for a kangaroo hunt accompanied by his wife and a priest. An inquiry concluded the shooting was unintentional. His wife was both the only witness to the event and the principal heir under his will.