Background
John Hardgrave was born in Ardee, County Louth, Ireland on 14 April 1826, the son of William Hardgrave (a cordwainer and cobbler) and Elizabeth Smith.
Alderman mayor mayor of Brisbane
John Hardgrave was born in Ardee, County Louth, Ireland on 14 April 1826, the son of William Hardgrave (a cordwainer and cobbler) and Elizabeth Smith.
John Hardgrave was in the boot trade and had a business selling Wellington boots on Queen Street. John Hardgrave was an alderman of the Brisbane Municipal Council in 1867-1870 (resigning on 20 June 1870) and then from 1876 - 1879. He was mayor in 1868-1869.
He was subsequently an alderman of the South Brisbane Municipal Council from 1888-1890 (resigning on 10 February 1890) only to return in 1891-1898.
He served on the following committees:
Legislative Committee 1867, 1869, 1870, 1877, 1891–1893, 1898
Lighting Committee 1867, 1870
Bridge Committee 1868, 1869
Improvement Committee 1868, 1869, 1870, 1876, 1878. Brisbane Board of Waterworks 1875 - 1902.
(Chairman from 23 May 1892)
Cab Inspection and Licensing Committee 1876
Finance Committee 1877, 1879, 1891, 1892, 1897
Parks Committee 1891, 1898
Municipal Library & School of Arts Committee 1894
Works Committee 1898
General Purpose Committee 1898.
He then became a member of the Woolloongabba Divisional Board 1882-1885 and was chairman of the Board in 1884.