settlement to take place years earlier than in the ordinary course of events. Maps of that north-west land contain many names significant of his expeditions given by him and members of his parties. His life is now, although not engaged in the exciting and arduous sphere of the pioneer, as busy as ever. His business connections are immense, and the political side of it demands much of his time. He is looked to with respect and appreciation by Western Australians scattered over the colony, not only for his innumerable services, but also for his modest and unassuming manner.
DANIEL KEEN CONGDON, J.P., M.L.C.
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Photo by D.K. CONGDON, J.P., M.L.C. Greenham & Evans. |
IT not infrequently happens that the council table becomes a stepping-stone to the Halls of Legislation. One sees many instances of this, more particularly perhaps in the Australias. The municipal chamber ofttimes provides a very valuable graduating ground for the prospective legislator, who when he enters the Parliament of his country does so with the conviction that he knows intimately the district he represents, and has some idea of the manner in which the laws of the country should be framed. The schooling which such a man bas obtained proves of much practical benefit to him, and he should gain status in the House. He is enabled to grapple with measures in an intelligent manner, and whenever a bill affecting municipal matters is under discussion his contribution to the debate is as a rule a worthy one, born of a thorough knowledge of the point at issue. In Western Australia at the present time we have many examples of the councillor-cum-legislator in Parliament, and good members they have proved too. Amongst the number is Daniel Keen Congdon, who was born in Kent in 1840, and is the son of William John Congdon. Young Congdon was educated at a private boarding school conducted by the Rev. John Freeman at West Ham, Essex. When his educational studies were finished he took up the profession of a civil engineer, but his probationary period had just elapsed when his father left for Western Australia under engagement of the Government to act as dispenser and compounder of medicines at one of the convict depôts. In the year 1853 the Congdon family arrived in Western Australia, and settling down at Fremantle with his parents the subject of this biographical sketch entered on his career in Australia by joining the staff of Mr. Charles Alfred Manning, general merchant, whose business was then the most extensive in Fremantle. Meanwhile Mr. Congdon had been diligently studying and making the most of every spare moment, so that after the lapse of three or four years he resigned his position at the merchant's house and entered the Educational Branch of the Government Service, accepting a position as school teacher at Pinjarra. Down amid this peaceful woodland did the pedagogue teach the young people of Pinjarra the three R's. On the 23rd December, 1861—four years after his arrival in the district—Mr. Congdon married Miss Jane Ainslie Fairbairn, daughter of Mr. John Fairbairn, and sister of Mr. R. Fairbairn, the Resident Magistrate of Fremantle. Mr. Congdon stayed at Pinjarra for twelve months longer and then returned to Fremantle, where he opened a business of his own. In 1863, at a point exactly opposite the Daily News office in High Street, he started as a chemist, druggist, and draper. He had obtained a good knowledge of drugs and chemicals from his father, and consequently had some pretensions to the calling of an apothecary. The shop was not adorned by stately plate glass, but was a homely cottage with a garden in front, and the purchasers of drug sundries had a neat little promenade to the "shop" after leaving the front footpath. When Mr. Congdon commenced Fremantle business houses were few—there being not more than ten in the street which is now a busy crowded thoroughfare. As Fremantle grew so did Mr. Congdon increase his premises, until in later years he built the commandingly expansive premises occupied by Messrs. Cargeeg, Dimant, and Co. in High Street. Three years ago he retired from active business affairs, since which he has devoted the whole of his attention to municipal and parliamentary matters.
In Fremantle municipal administration Mr. Congdon has taken a leading part. He was a member of the old Town Trust, and always took an active interest in the deliberations from the time his return from from Pinjarra. In October, 1885, he received a numerously signed requisition from prominent residents asking him to stand for the mayoralty. Acceding to the wishes of the requisition, he contested the election with the Hon. W. E Marmion, M.L.A., who was a popular man in Fremantle. Mr. Congdon secured the seat by 79 votes. Having been in the Council for ten years, he thoroughly understood the work which was likely to fall on his shoulders, and discharged the functions so satisfactorily that he held the office for three successive years, which period is set down as the consecutive limit in the Municipal
