WATTS, JOHN

John Watts was born on the 27th February, 1821 and was one of the early pioneers of Queensland. His father, Thomas Watts, was a surgeon in Gloustershire, England. After John Watts left England in 1840 on the "Guiana" for Australia, he worked on a dairy farm in South Australia. After some trials with purchasing and losing livestock, Watts came to Brisbane on the "Fama" in 1846. Over many years, he was involved in droving and farming sheep along the Condamine River, and on the Darling Downs. In 1859, John Watts became manager of a property near Rosewood, during which time he contested the seat of Drayton, near Toowoomba. He won the seat easily with a large majority and sat at the first parliament of Queensland in 1860, continuing to run sheep while being involved in politics. In 1864 Watts was appointed to the Upper House, but resigned soon after when he made the decision to contest the seat in the area in which he lived, the Western Darling Downs.

Successful in winning the seat, Watts was elected in 1865 into the Legislative Assembly. He accepted a portfolio of Minister of Lands and Works, and in this position was involved in the construction of a number of works in Brisbane. He played a major role in the building of the Helidon to Toowoomba railway line as well as the construction of the Toowoomba railway station. He organised and was on board, the first, treacherous rail trip to Toowoomba after heavy rains in the area which had also caused severe flooding in Brisbane. Watts retired from parliament soon after, and returned to England to retire. He made his final visit to Queensland in 1892.