The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954)(about) |
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Tuesday 24 March 1914
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Obituary, A PIONEER PASSES. The hand of death last week remov- ed one who had done more for the town of Beulah than any other single individual, viz.. Mr. Jas. Ferguson. He was 71 years of age, and the im mediate cause of death was heart affection. The deceased was one of the earliest settlers in the Beulah dis- trict, where he arrived from South Australia about 26 years ago. For upwards of a score of years he was the controlling factor in Beulah, and it could be reckoned on that every movement that had James Ferguson at its head would come to a trium- phal issue. He was popularly known in that-town as " The Laird:" Before ever there was direct local municipal government, that portion of the Mal lee was part and parcel of the Borung Shire, and Councillor Ferguson was the representative. When the Kar- karooc Shire was constituted in 1896, he was returned as one of the first 12 members; being well up on the poll in numerous field. There were no rid- ings in those days. The first meeting of the council was held on September 23, 1896, at which Mr. H. E. Ackland was acting secretary. Councillor Fer- guson was appointed to the chair pro tem., pending the election of president. Councillor E. H. Lascelles was the first president. For 12 year's the de- ceased was a councillor, and in 1901 occupied the presidential chair. His municipal duties were carried out with that thoroughness that characterised all his public and private work. In 1908 he resigned his seat at the coun- cil table, and with Mrs. Ferguson took a trip to England and the land of their b:rth (Scotland). The news of his death. was received with feelings of regret by a very large circle of friends, as there was no man better known north of Warracknabeal than the de- ceased. He leaves a widow and grown-up family., The death occurred at Geelong on the 13th inst. of Mr. Ralph McClure, father of Mrs. J. H. Hopkins, of War- racknabeal. Deceased was 79 years of age. The death of an old colonist in the person of Mrs. Hicks, aged 80, relict of the late Samuel Hicks, for many years overseer at Murndal, occurred recently. Sister Mary Fitzgerald, of the Holy Angels Society, is dead a 'the age of 54. She was a native of Mullagh, Har row.