John Moir (29 July 1856 – 19 July 1939) was prominent businessman and politician who served as the mayor of Albany in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.[1]
Born in Albany on 29 July 1856, he was the eldest son of Alexander Moir, who had arrived in Albany in 1852. Moir was sent to Perth as a child to study at Bishop's College. Arriving back in Albany at age 16 he joined his father in his business interests.[2] By 1880 Moir's father retired and left him in charge of the family businesses.[1] By 1882 Moir was the foundation president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry.[3]
Moving to work briefly in South Australia Moir met and later married Edith Jane Lines in 1883. A year later they had a child, Clifford St John Moir, who died before his first birthday.[1]
Later, returning to Albany, he contested the first mayoral election in 1885 but lost to William Finlay.[4]
Moir built a new residence on Aberdeen Street in 1886; his wife died before the residence was completed. Moir, who was also a founding member of the Albany Club, let it be used as a club facility from 1895 until 1939 when the club acquired the building. The Albany Club building later became heritage listed.[5]
Serving four terms as Mayor of Albany, from 1889 to 1890, and 1894 to 1897, Moir spent several years also serving on the Council.[6]
In 1908 Moir sold off his other businesses only keeping his auctioneering branch under his name.[1]
Moir died at Albany hospital on 19 July 1939 after a long illness,[6] and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d "John Moir". Great Southern Pioneers. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Late John Moir". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 24 July 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ "About ACCI". Albany Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "News and notes". The West Australian. Vol. 1, no. 276. Western Australia. 18 November 1885. p. 3. Retrieved 31 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Albany Club". inherit. Heritage Council of Western Australia. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Former Mayor Dead". Albany Advertiser. Albany, Western Australia: National Library of Australia. 20 July 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Lorraine Larment (2008). "Albany Memorial Cemetery". Retrieved 28 December 2015.