Nevitt was born at Crewe, Cheshire, to James Nevitt and his wife Ellen (née Warburton) and was educated in Crewe Green and St. Paul's Church schools, Crewe.[1] He began his working life as a railway fitter in England before moving to Queensland around 1884.[2] He worked as a hospital wardsman in Normanton for twenty years from 1887, was overseer, Townsville Quarantine Station from 1912 until 1917,[1] and Visiting Justice at St Helena Prison and other centres throughout the state[2] from 1923 to 1930.[1]
When the Labour Party starting forming governments in Queensland, it found much of its legislation being blocked by a hostile Council, where members had been appointed for life by successive conservative governments. After a failed referendum in May 1917,[4] Premier Ryan tried a new tactic, and later that year advised the Governor, Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, to appoint thirteen new members whose allegiance lay with Labour to the Council.[5]
Nevitt was one of the thirteen new members, and went on to serve for four and a half years until the Council was abolished in March 1922.[1] From 17 November 1920 he was also the Chairman of Committees.[1]
Personal life
Nevitt married Sabina Naughton in 1887 and together had 3 sons.[1] He retired in March 1932. About July 1932, he travelled to Cairns where he died in a private hospital in September 1932.[2][6][7] His funeral was held at St John's Church, Cairns and proceeded to the Martyn St Cemetery.[8]
^"Family Notices". The Cairns Post. Qld.: National Library of Australia. 14 September 1932. p. 4. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2015.