Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 9 June 1894, page 1061


Death ot Mr. John Ferrett.

Our Ipswich correspondent reports the sudden death of Mr. John Ferrett, an old identity of Ipswich, and one of the pioneers of the colony, at the advanced

age of 82 years. His housekeeper went to his room about 7.30 o'clock to call him as usual, when he rose in his bed, being apparently in his customary health, and replied that he would soon have to dress, as he desired to go down town shortly after breakfast. Five minutes later a gurgling sound was heard, and on going into the apartment the housekeeper found that he was dead. The cause of death was heart disease. Although sudden, his demise was not altogether unexpected, as his medical adviser some time ago informed his relatives that the complaint from which he suffered might possibly bring about his end at any moment. The deceased gentle-man landed in Australia about the year 1835, and at once engaged with Messrs. Dangar Bros., on whose station he worked for some years afterwards. Subsequently he left their employ, and entering into partnership with one of the young Dangars, he established a cattle station a considerable distance to the north of Messrs. Dangar Bros.' run. Later on he dis-solved partnership with Mr. Dangar, and in conjunction with a brother of that gentleman, he took over the Wallan Station, whence he used to bring his wool into Ipswich. Some years ago he took an interest in politics, and at one time he represented the Maranoa distriot in the Legislative Assembly—the first Parliament of the colony, and in the early part of the seventies he was a member for West Moreton. Of late years Mr. Ferrett had resided in Ipswich. The only relatives of the deceased gentleman re-siding in this part of the world are a niece and a nephew—Miss Emily and Mr. Harry Ferrett, children of the late Mr. Henry Ferrett, who was accidentally drowned in the Conda-mine River in 1857, two years after his arrival in Australia.