Daniel Fisher (politician)


Daniel Fisher was a grain merchant and politician in the young colony of South Australia.

History

Daniel Fisher was born in Bradford, Wiltshire, son of James Fisher and his wife Sarah Fisher, and was transported to Van Diemen's Land aged 15, for what he was later to describe as "an unfortunate mistake" and "a boyish escapade, involving no moral offence" for which he was later exonerated and, on a petition from the Hon. J. Baker received a Royal Pardon. He married Harriet Brown in Hobart Town on 6 November 1837 and moved to South Australia aboard the Timbo, arriving at Port Adelaide in April 1846.
He set up in business as a cornfactor and seedsman in Rundle Street. His brother Charles arrived in Adelaide in 1848, for a time working as a contractor then joined Daniel as "Fisher Brothers",. Charles left the partnership in October 1856 and set up in Grenfell Street on his own account. Daniel joined the gold rush to Victoria, but returned to Adelaide without having made a fortune. Other members of his family joined him in South Australia. He was convicted of assault after repeatedly charging his brother-in-law George P. Harris on horseback and making threatening gestures. In a letter to the Adelaide Times, D. Fisher stated that there was great provocation given.

Public life

He was prominent in the defence of John Stephens, editor of the South Australian Register.
He served on the Adelaide City Council from 1852 to 1855 and retired from business in 1856. He visited England in 1861, and in 1865 contested the election for seat of East Torrens in the South Australian House of Assembly but was unsuccessful. Two years later one of the successful candidates, Neville Blyth, resigned on a point of honour, and Fisher won the resulting by-election and served from July 1867 to May 1870. His colleagues were Randolph Isham Stow, who resigned in May 1868 then George Pearce. He was elected Mayor of the Town of Kensington and Norwood in 1862.

Last years

About 1878 Fisher suffered a stroke, which left him paralysed, and withdrew totally from public life. In the last year he lost the use of his mental faculties. He died at his home Nile Street, Glenelg.

Family

Daniel Fisher married 6 November 1837 at Hobart Town, Tasmania to Harriet Brown. They left for South Australia on board the Timbo, arriving 4 April 1846. Daniel met, in Tasmania, his wife Lucretia Kelk. Lucretia moved to Adelaide to be with him. He married Mary Reynolds around 1850. His children included:
He had a brother and two sisters in South Australia:
Charles Fisher J.P., grain merchant, married Julia Humphreys Phillips, sister of W. Herbert Phillipps on 22 April 1858, later lived at "Parkholme", Wakefield Street, Kent Town.
Caroline Fisher married George Peter Harris on 14 November 1854 at the Wesleyan Chapel, North Adelaide. Harris, co-founder of Harris Scarfe, arrived in SA 10 February 1849 aboard Candahar. from Plymouth.
They had 2 children, both born in South Australia:-
The family left South Australia on 14 January 1867; George Peter Harris died 26 November 1873 at "Castle House", Shooter's Hill, England.
Elizabeth Fisher married 1843 Alfred Pickford. Elizabeth, Alfred and daughter Ellen arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the Marshall Bennett. His occupation was listed as "Carpenter". Alfred had a business in Rundle street, retired around 1870. They had one daughter:
Brothers and sisters who remained in England include:
John Fisher, married Ann Billett
Eliza Fisher
James Fisher, married Amelia Gerrish