Richard John Cottell

Richard John Cottell (1865–1911) was an Australian politician. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a mayor of the Town of Toowong (now part of the City of Brisbane).

Richard Cottell
Richard John Cottell, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1908
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Toowong
In office 5 February 1908 – 30 August 1911
Preceded by	Edward Macartney
Succeeded by	Edward Macartney
Personal details
Born	Richard John Cottell 6 August 1865 Brisbane, Australia
Died	30 August 1911 (aged 46) Brisbane, Australia
Resting place	Toowong Cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Kidstonites
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Spouse(s)	Mary Barry (m.1889 d.1890), Lily Theresa Muller (m.1897)
Occupation	Clerk, Conveyancer

Early life

Richard John Cottell was born on 6 August 1865 in Brisbane. His parents were Richard James Cottell (later the mayor of the Town of Roma) and his wife Catherine Naire (née Cameron).[1]

Subsequently his parents moved to Roma and he received his early education at the local State school, but subsequently was a pupil of the Ipswich Grammar School. In 1880 he commenced a mercantile career in the service of Messrs. B. D. Morehead and Co., and subsequently served a term with Messrs. Alfred Shaw and Co., afterwards entering the Government service in the office of the Registrar of Titles, Brisbane. In 1880 he qualified as a conveyancer of the Supreme Court of Queensland, and practised as such in Brisbane.[2]

On 26 February 1889, he married Mary (Minnie) Barry, daughter of Patrick Barry and Honora (née Donovan). They had a son, Richard Barry Cottell, on 11 July 1890 but his wife died soon after 8 August 1890 aged 26 years old. Son Richard died aged 15 months on 28 October 1891.[1] His wife and son were both buried in Lutwyche Cemetery, but not together. His wife was buried in the Roman Catholic section and his son in the Church of England section.[3][4]

On 22 April 1897, he married Lily Theresa Muller, daughter of Frederick Augustus Muller and Margaret Elizabeth (née Johanson). They had three children:[1]

• Lorna Muller (born 21 July 1898), an artist
• Francis Roy (born 24 September 1900)
• Phyllis Lily (born 12 December 1903)

Political life

Richard Cottell was the councillor for the South Ward of the Town of Toowong from 6 January 1904 to his death on 30 August 1911. He was mayor of the Town of Toowong in 1909.[1]

On 5 February 1908, Richard Cottell was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in the electoral district of Toowong. He held the seat until his death on 30 August 1911.[5]

Death

Richard Cottell died on 30 August 1911 at his residence in Curlew Street, Toowong, from angina pectoris aged 46 years old.[2] He was buried in Toowong Cemetery on 31 August 1911.[6][7]

His second wife Lily died on 15 April 1942 aged 72 years and was buried with her husband in Toowong Cemetery.[1][6]

References

1. Welch, Melva A, (compiler.); Toowong and District Historical Society (issuing body) (2013), Cradle to grave – Toowong Council, Toowong, [Queensland] Toowong and District Historical Society, ISBN 978-0-9872487-0-1CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. "OBITUARY". The Queenslander. National Library of Australia. 9 September 1911. p. 29. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
3. "Cottell Minnie". Grave Location Search. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
4. "Cottell Richard Barry". Grave Location Search. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
5. "Part 2.15 – Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860–2017 and the Legislative Council 1860–1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2015–2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
6. "Cottell Richard John". Grave Location Search. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
7. "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 31 August 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 22 January 2014.