Charles Nielson

Charles Frederick Nielson (6 February 1871 – 15 August 1924) was a solicitor, and member of both the Queensland Legislative Council and Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

The Hon Charles Nielson
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Musgrave
In office 27 August 1904 – 18 May 1907
Preceded by	John White
Succeeded by	John White
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office 14 September 1907 – 23 March 1922
Personal details
Born	Charles Frederick Nielson 6 February 1871 Schleswig, Germany
Died	15 August 1924 (aged 53) Gympie, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	Bundaberg Cemetery
Nationality	German Australian
Political party	Labour Party
Spouse(s)	Ellen Horniblow (m.1898 d.1957)
Occupation	Solicitor

Early years

Nielson was born at Schleswig, Germany, to Peter Nielson and his wife, Magdalena (née Fredericksen).[1] He started his schooling in Hamburg before his family migrated to Australia and he continued his education in Bundaberg and at Maryborough Grammar School before commencing practice as a solicitor.[1]

Business career

He was a partner in Hamilton and Nielson, Solicitors, and a director of several companies including the Bundaberg Foundry Co., the Blair Athol Coal and Timber Co., the Bundaberg Newspaper Co., and the Yeppoon Plantation Estate Co. Ltd.[2]

Political career

Representing the Labour Party, Nielson contested the seat of Musgrave at the 1902 state election,[3] losing to the Ministerialist candidate, William O'Connell.[4] After O'Connell died in 1903,[4] Nielson contested the subsequent by-election, this time losing to the Opposition candidate, John White.[5]

Nielson's third attempt at winning Musgrave came at the 1904 state election, this time defeating White. He held the seat for three years before White regained it at the 1907 state election.[6] In September of that year, he was appointed by the Kidston Ministry to the Legislative Council and remained a member till the Council was abolished in March 1922.[1]

Personal life

Nielson married Ellen Horniblow in 1898 and together they had three sons.[1] He died at Gympie in 1924[2] and was buried in the Bundaberg Cemetery.[7]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
2. "OBITUARY". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 16 August 1924. p. 6. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
3. "MUSGRAVE". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 13 March 1902. p. 6. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
4. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
5. "THE MUSGRAVE ELECTION". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. Qld.: National Library of Australia. 6 April 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
6. "MUSGRAVE". The Northern Miner. Charters Towers, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 20 May 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
7. Search the Bundaberg Cemetery Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine – Bundaberg Regional Council. Retrieved 22 March.