Charles McDowall

Charles McDowall
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia
In office 11 September 1908 – 13 July 1916
Preceded by	William Eddy
Succeeded by	George Lambert
Constituency	Coolgardie
Personal details
Born	c. 1862 Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Died	13 July 1916 West Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Political party	Labor (after 1904)

Charles McDowall (c. 1862 – 13 July 1916) was an Australian businessman and politician who was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1908 until his death, representing the seat of Coolgardie.

McDowall was born in Ballarat, Victoria, to Bridget (née Devine) and Charles McDowall. He and his parents moved to New Zealand when he was a small child, but after 18 years in New Zealand he returned to Australia in 1884, living in Melbourne. He worked as a real estate agent, and in 1891 served on the Nunawading Shire Council. McDowall came to Western Australia in 1896, settling in Coolgardie. He served on the Coolgardie Municipal Council from 1901 to 1904, and then as mayor from 1904 to 1906. He also briefly served as president of the state branch of the Australian Natives Association (ANA), with which he had been involved in Victoria.

McDowall first ran for parliament at the 1901 state election, contesting the seat of Mount Burges as an Oppositionist (an opponent of the government of George Throssell). He was defeated by Fergie Reid, the endorsed Labor candidate. At the 1904 Legislative Council elections, McDowall was the endorsed Labor candidate for South Province, but was defeated by William Oats.

...
Wikipedia