David Thomson (Labor Party politician)

This article is about the member for Capricornia (1903–1906). For the member for Leichhardt (1975–1983), see David Thomson (Australian National Party politician).

David Thomson
Thomson c. 1904
Member of the Australian Parliament for Capricornia
In office 16 December 1903 – 12 December 1906
Preceded by	Alexander Paterson
Succeeded by	Edward Archer
Personal details
Born	(1856-02-26)26 February 1856 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	30 October 1926(1926-10-30) (aged 70) Bushley, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Labor
Occupation	Businessman

David Alexander Thomson (26 February 1856 – 30 October 1926) was an Australian businessman and politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1903 to 1906, holding the Queensland seat of Capricornia for the Australian Labor Party (ALP).

Early life

Thomson was born in 1856 in Melbourne. He lived for periods in both Victoria and New South Wales, working a number of jobs "including contract tank-sinking, wool carrying, hotel-keeping and road contracting".[1] Having spent time on the Victorian goldfields, he moved to Coolgardie in 1894 during the Western Australian gold rush. He moved to Queensland in the late 1890s.[2]

Business interests

In New South Wales, Thomson and his wife ran hotels in Katoomba, Bathurst, and Tenterfield. After moving to Queensland they controlled the Cosmopolitan Hotel, the Prince Consort Hotel, and the Osborne Hotel in Sandgate for periods.[3]

Thomson moved to Rockhampton in 1900 where he ran the Commercial Hotel and the Masonic Hotel.[3] In 1902 he acquired the Rockhampton Aerated Water Company, a cordial factory which he "built up into a business of considerable magnitude".[1] The business was later taken over by his son Francis David Thomson.[4]

In 1918, Thomson took over a farming property at Bushley. He introduced Friesian cattle to the district and was one of the first to use motorised tractors and milking machines.[2]

Politics

Thomson was a member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Capricornia, Queensland, between 16 December 1903 until 12 December 1906. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party.[5]

Personal life

Thomson married Mary Jane Tonsing and had at least nine children.[3]

Thomson died at his home in Bushley on 30 October 1926, aged 70.[1]

References

1. "Personal News". The Capricornian. Rockhampton. 5 November 1926.
2. "Mr. D. A. Thomson". The Week. Brisbane. 5 November 1926.
3. "Later Mrs M. J. Thomson". Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton. 18 December 1940.
4. "Mr. F. D. Thomson". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton. 28 September 1933.
5. Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia – Page 662 National Library of Australia – 2002 "Thomson, David Alexander Capricomia Qd 16.12.1903 Defeated 12.12.1906 ALP (26.2.1856 – 30.10.1926)"

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Alexander Paterson	Member for Capricornia 1903–1906	Succeeded by Edward Archer