Historical information

Photograph is of Sir John Bowser as a young man, probably shortly after he settled in Wangaratta about 1880. In 1884 he became editor and part-owner of the Wangaratta Chronicle. In 20 November 1894 he won the Wangaratta and Rutherglen seat in the Legislative Assembly by only thirteen votes. He remained in the Victorian Parliament for many years and in November 1917 he became premier, chief secretary and minister of labour.
At the time the Rutherglen Common School was completed in 1874 he was the Minister of Education

Physical description

Black and white portrait photograph of a young man with a mustache. Photo was mounted on a light piece of cardboard that has been torn at the edges.

Inscriptions & markings

At bottom of photo is pasted a slip of paper printed with: "J. Bowser, Esq., M.L.A."