Death Hon. J. C. Heussler M.L.C.
Father of the Leglislative Council
The Hon. J. C. Heussler, M.L.C., died on Saturday night at his residence at Christian street, Albion. The deceased. was in his 88th year.
Johann Christian Heussler was born at Bokenheim, Frankfort-on-the-Maine, on June 15, 1820. He
was educated at the State school, and was subsequently a student at a French institution at
Bokeheim, and Dr. Jeitels's Mercantile Institute at Frankfort.
He entered in business as a wine merchant at Frankfort, and later on, while still young,
received an important appointment in a mercantile firm in Holland, representing the firm at
the London Exhibition in 1851.
He emigrated to Australia in 1852, and established a business, in partnership with others, in
Melbourne. Health reasons, however, compelled him, in the following year, to leave
Victoria.
He settled in Brisbane in 1854, and immediately commenced business here.
A Man of Vision
In 1876 Heussler proposed to the Queensland
Legislative Council that artesian bores be drilled to provide a permanemt water supply for
the Colony.
The idea was regarded as absurd and impractical. It took almost a decade before Heusslers
vision became a reality.
Photo: State Library Queensland No:127316
Netherlands and German Consul
In 1863 he was appointed consul for the Netherlands, and three years later
was called to the Legislative Council. His seat in that chamber was subsequently forfeited
owing to his absence from Queensland, but in 1870 he was reappointed, and has continued a
member of the Upper House ever since.
At various times he has acted as President, as (acting) Chairman of Committee, and as a
Commissioner at the opening of Parliament. For some years he was German Consul in
Queensland.
German Immigration Agent
When the Herbert Ministry was in power Mr. Heussler was sent to Germany as an immigration agent, and the result of his efforts is
seen in prosperous German settlements in the Rosawood, Logan, and Albert, Maryborough,
Darling Downs, and other districts.
The Knighthood of the order of Orange-Nassau was conferred on him in 1895. Two years later he
was appointed one of the commercial Commissioners, and represented this State in Germany and
the Netherlands.
The funeral will take place this morning, leaving the deceased's residence for the Toowong
cemetery at 10,30.
Source: The Queenslander - 2 November 1907
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