JAMES JACKSON MAWSON

JAMES JACKSON MAWSON for about 60 years was a resident of Cooma. Born in Liverpool (England) in 1835 he, when a young man, left his homeland for Australia. He left his ship at Melbourne, where he at once started to work at his trade as a builder. When the Kiandra gold rush broke out in 1860, Mr. Mawson was one of those attracted by it. With two mates, David Scarlett and Charles Potter, he left Melbourne and walked to Kiandra. There the three friends took up a claim which, however, proved a "duffer". They left the goldfield and came to Cooma where, finding plenty of work, they were occupied for some time. Subsequently, Mr. Mawson's two mates going on to the land, he established himself in business as a builder and contractor. His venture proved successful, and St. Paul's Church and many private residences in and about the district stand today as monuments to his ability. Three of his sons adopted their father's business, but later one of them - Mr. H. H. Mawson - took up grazing pursuits and is now Manager on Manaro for The New Zealand and Australian Land Co. Ltd. Another son, Mr. E. S. Mawson, has for thirty years been practising as a solicitor at Cooma.