MEAGHER, JOHN (1836-1920), storekeeper and politician, was born on 8 December 1836 at Kilrush, Clare, Ireland, son of Roger Meagher, fisherman and coastguard, and his wife Catherine, née Mahoney. He arrived in Sydney about 1863 and at St Mary's Cathedral married Mary Ann Byrne (d.1895), housekeeper, on 19 September 1864. That year he moved to Bathurst where he was employed by Edmund Webb who later became a commercial and political rival.

Meagher opened his own store at Bathurst in 1867, followed by branches at Hill End, Trunkey, Locksley and Dirty Swamp. Large stores were later established at Temora, West Wyalong, Barmedman, Forbes, Cootamundra, Parkes and Yass. He imported drapery, grocery, ironmongery, wines and spirits and furniture. By extending customer credit on the advice of their store-managers John Meagher & Co. assisted the development of the central and south-western districts of New South Wales.

A justice of the peace from ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography