People Australia

George Barber, by Regent Studios, c.1920

State Library of Queensland, 65108022

George Phillips Barber (1863-1938) seaman, member of parliament, Queensland 

Birth: 26 March 1863 at Oulton, Lancashire, England. Son of George Barber and Susan, née Gall. Marriage: by General Booth on 13 November 1891 in Exhibition Building, Melbourne, to Mary Nichols. They had one son and two daughters. Death: 7 November 1938, Brisbane, Queensland. Religion: Anglican, later Salvation Army. 

• 1876 ran away to the Dogger Bank; became a trawler seaman. 1885-88 quartermaster Clan Macgregor, eastern trade.
• 1888 arrived in Tasmania; worked as a labourer at Millaquin sugar refinery and meatworks.  
• During WWI, petty officer, Royal Australian Naval Reserve, home service.
• Failed banana farmer. 1934 Forestry Department, Queensland.
• Secretary, ALP, Queensland.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly for Bundaberg 1901-1935.
• Member, Loyal Mulgrave Lodge, No. 10, IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows].

Sources
Duncan Bruce Waterson and John Arnold, Biographical register of the Queensland Parliament 1930-1989 (Canberra, 1982)