John Maxwell Ferguson (28 April 1841 – 2 August 1924) was an Australian businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He had business interests in several different industries in Western Australia, and was prominent in the state's Presbyterian community. Ferguson served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1903 to 1904, representing the seat of North Fremantle.
Ferguson was born in Dundee, Scotland, to Isabella (née Maxwell) and John Ferguson. His family moved to Western Australia when he was an infant, where his father, a physician, was appointed colonial surgeon (the colony's chief medical officer). Ferguson was initially educated at Bishop Hale's School, and then sent back to Scotland to attend the High School of Dundee. After leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy, eventually becoming captain of his own ship. In 1867, Ferguson returned to Western Australia, settling in Fremantle.[1] There, he acquired the schoonerAirlie, which he used to trade with Singapore and China.[2]
Business careeredit
In 1871, Ferguson acquired the lease of the Stanley Brewery. The following year, he went into partnership with William Mumme, a German expatriate with previous experience in the brewing trade. In 1874, the firm of Ferguson and Mumme acquired the Swan Brewery, which they relocated to the site of a freshwater spring at the foot of Mount Eliza. Ferguson sold his share in the brewery in 1886, and went into business as a general merchant in Fremantle, partnering with William Dalgety Moore. He established his own hardware business in 1889, and over the following years acquired interests in a number of saw mills in the South West.[1]
Politics and later lifeedit
Ferguson entered politics in 1903, winning that year's North Fremantle state by-election, which had been caused by the resignation of Denis Doherty, the member for North Fremantle. His time in parliament was short-lived, however, as he was defeated by the Labour candidate, Harry Bolton.[3] Ferguson remained involved in public life for some time, and was prominent in Perth's Presbyterian community. He financed a relocation of Scotch College in 1904, and in 1915 was involved in the establishment of Presbyterian Ladies' College.[4] He eventually retired to Mount Lawley, where he died in 1924, aged 83. Ferguson's nephew, Percy Douglas Ferguson, was also a member of parliament.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcJohn Maxwell Ferguson – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
^Black, David; Prescott, Valerie (1997). Election statistics : Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, 1890-1996. Perth, [W.A.]: Western Australian Parliamentary History Project and Western Australian Electoral Commission. ISBN0730984095.
^John Maxwell Ferguson Fund – Scotch College. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
john, maxwell, ferguson, april, 1841, august, 1924, australian, businessman, politician, philanthropist, business, interests, several, different, industries, western, australia, prominent, state, presbyterian, community, ferguson, served, legislative, assembly. John Maxwell Ferguson 28 April 1841 2 August 1924 was an Australian businessman politician and philanthropist He had business interests in several different industries in Western Australia and was prominent in the state s Presbyterian community Ferguson served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1903 to 1904 representing the seat of North Fremantle John FergusonMember of the Legislative Assemblyof Western AustraliaIn office 11 December 1903 28 June 1904Preceded byDenis DohertySucceeded byHarry BoltonConstituencyNorth FremantlePersonal detailsBorn 1841 04 28 28 April 1841Dundee ScotlandDied2 August 1924 1924 08 02 aged 83 Mount Lawley Western AustraliaWikisource has original text related to this article John Maxwell Ferguson in History of West Australia Contents 1 Early life 2 Business career 3 Politics and later life 4 ReferencesEarly life editFerguson was born in Dundee Scotland to Isabella nee Maxwell and John Ferguson His family moved to Western Australia when he was an infant where his father a physician was appointed colonial surgeon the colony s chief medical officer Ferguson was initially educated at Bishop Hale s School and then sent back to Scotland to attend the High School of Dundee After leaving school he joined the Merchant Navy eventually becoming captain of his own ship In 1867 Ferguson returned to Western Australia settling in Fremantle 1 There he acquired the schooner Airlie which he used to trade with Singapore and China 2 Business career editIn 1871 Ferguson acquired the lease of the Stanley Brewery The following year he went into partnership with William Mumme a German expatriate with previous experience in the brewing trade In 1874 the firm of Ferguson and Mumme acquired the Swan Brewery which they relocated to the site of a freshwater spring at the foot of Mount Eliza Ferguson sold his share in the brewery in 1886 and went into business as a general merchant in Fremantle partnering with William Dalgety Moore He established his own hardware business in 1889 and over the following years acquired interests in a number of saw mills in the South West 1 Politics and later life editFerguson entered politics in 1903 winning that year s North Fremantle state by election which had been caused by the resignation of Denis Doherty the member for North Fremantle His time in parliament was short lived however as he was defeated by the Labour candidate Harry Bolton 3 Ferguson remained involved in public life for some time and was prominent in Perth s Presbyterian community He financed a relocation of Scotch College in 1904 and in 1915 was involved in the establishment of Presbyterian Ladies College 4 He eventually retired to Mount Lawley where he died in 1924 aged 83 Ferguson s nephew Percy Douglas Ferguson was also a member of parliament 1 References edit a b c John Maxwell Ferguson Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia Retrieved 16 May 2016 MEMORY ECHOES The Daily News 22 July 1924 Black David Prescott Valerie 1997 Election statistics Legislative Assembly of Western Australia 1890 1996 Perth W A Western Australian Parliamentary History Project and Western Australian Electoral Commission ISBN 0730984095 John Maxwell Ferguson Fund Scotch College Retrieved 16 May 2016 Parliament of Western AustraliaPreceded byDenis Doherty Member for North Fremantle1903 1904 Succeeded byHarry Bolton Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Maxwell Ferguson amp oldid 1168646660, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
