Background
John Sinclair was born at Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 8 December 1827, the son of John Sinclair and Jane Smith.
Alderman mayor mayor of Brisbane
John Sinclair was born at Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 8 December 1827, the son of John Sinclair and Jane Smith.
In 1854 John Sinclair came to Brisbane as engineer on the steamer Boomerang, which brought to Brisbane the news of the fall of Sevastopol and of the Eureka Stockade. Later he settled in Brisbane and worked as an engineer In 1868 he was appointed as manager of Queensland Iron Works, owned by Robert R. Smellie.
He was such a success as a manager in expanding the business that he became a partner in 1872 The iron shipbuilding branch of the business was responsible for building the Louisa, a cargo steamer that was used for trade along the Brisbane River between Ipswich and Moreton Bay.
John Sinclair was an alderman of the Brisbane Municipal Council for the ward of Kangaroo Point from 1871 until 1874 when he retired. In 1876 he was elected again as alderman.
He was mayor of the Brisbane Municipal Council in 1880 and 1881 and then retired again in 1882. However, he was elected again as alderman in 1886 and 1887, after which he finally retired from the council.
He served on the following committees:
Finance Committee 1871, 1872, 1874, 1878, 1887
Legislative Committee 1872–1874, 1876, 1877, 1879–1881, 1886, 1887
Improvement Committee 1877, 1879–1881
Brisbane Board of Waterworks 1879–1901
Wharfage Committee 1881
Town Hall Committee 1886
Works Committee 1886.
