FAIRCLOUGH FAMILY

Fairclough Family

Born in Ireland in 1862, James (Jim) Fairclough settled in Mount Barker, South Australia with his farming family. After arriving in Albany from South Australia, Jim Fairclough headed to the goldfields where he became a successful mine owner at Richmond Gem gold mine at Mount Malcolm. Selling the mine, he, his wife Susan Jane (nee Bennett) and their two sons moved to Katanning and took over the two-storey Federal Hotel from John (Jack) Cook. James added the third storey in 1913 and the family name is still embossed at the top of the building.

OBITUARY:
Mr. James Fairclough.

Great Southern Herald
13 January, 1940

His many friends in the Katanning and surrounding districts and on the Eastern Goldfields will regret to learn of the death of Mr. James Fairclough, who died at the Katanning Hospital on Tuesday evening after a brief illness, at the advanced age of 77 years.

In recent years,although remarkably active for his age, Mr. Fairclough had not enjoyed robust health, and with the recurrence of an old trouble which affected him seriously, he entered hospital on December 23, death supervening 17 days later.

“Jim” Fairclough, as he was familiarly known by his many friends, led an active and eventful life, particularly on the Goldfields in the early 90’s. He was born at Mount Barker, South Australia, in 1862 and migrated to Western Australia at the age of 30, landing at Albany in 1892.

Western Gem Gold Mine, Malcolm c1907

These were the early gold days and, setting out immediately for the fields, he walked from Narrogin to Southern Cross, where he and his brother started the first blacksmith shop in the town. Subsequently he married and, having made good at Southern Cross, moved on and secured the Richmond Gem gold mine at Mount Malcolm.

From this time onwards he prospered and became one of Mount Malcolm’s leading citizens, holding office as mayor for several years and being appointed a Justice of Peace. Subsequently he took an active part in earlier Goldfields life and will be remembered by many of the old hands both as a citizen and a successful mine owner.

The two-storey Federal Hotel c1910

In 1907 he relinquished the strenuous life of the “fields” and, coming to Katanning with his wife and two children, Jack and Malcolm, took over the lease of the Federal Hotel from Jack Cook, one of Katanning’s well-known earlier citizens. For ten years he remained host of the Federal, during which time he interested himself in all branches of sport and movements for the advancement of the town and district.

In 1917 he sold out and went to live on his farming property at Kwobrup, which had been purchased some time previously, but after a few years took over the lease of an hotel at Mt. Barker. He remained at this venture until his wife suffered a breakdown in health, and finally retired from active business in 1932, but not before settling his sons, Jack and Malcolm, on well-established farming properties.

The greatest blow of his life came when his good wife predeceased him several years ago, and he spent the remainder of his days between visits to his sons and travelling, the last trip he enjoyed being a cruise to New Zealand. His two sons, Jack and Malcolm, survive him, and there are eight grandchildren.

The funeral took place on Wednesday last in the rites of the Anglican Church, the cortege moving to the Katanning General Cemetery, where his remains were laid to rest in the presence of a large gathering of friends from all parts of the district. In the absence of the Rector, the last rites were performed by Mr. J. C. Warren, J.P., a lay reader of the church. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. W. Old, F. A. Rogers, A. Purkiss, D. Munro, J. Barkley and E. J. Fewings, funeral arrangements being in the hands of Mr. John Squiers.

Many beautiful floral tributes and other expressions of esteem and sympathy were placed on the graveside by the following relatives and friends:
Jack and Effie; Lillian, Mervyn and Malcolm; Yvonne, Donald, Jimmy, Anne and John; Malcolm and Dolly; Fan and Bill Walters; Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Anderson and J. V. Anderson; E. and J. Asplin and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ball; Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Bolton; Manager and Staff of Bank N.S.W.; Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Bolt and family; Mrs. Bradbury and family; Mr. and Mrs. P. Berger and Joffre; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Barrot and family; Mr. and Mrs. G. Cheetham and family; Flora and Martin; Mr. and Mrs. J. Fitzmaurice;

Mr. C. H. Flugge and family; Filmer and Forbes Ltd.; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Green; Mr. and Mrs. C. Haddleton; Sheila, Kinley and Ian Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. Les. Hall; Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Hobbs and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Higman; Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Hobart, Bert and Stan.; Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Longmire; Mrs. J. Lynes; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Longmire; Mrs. McDougall, Snr., and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McDougall and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Old and family; Mrs. W. F. Quartermaine;

Mr. and Mrs. K. Quartermaine and family; Mr. and Mrs. Pepall and family; Mr. J. Robson and family; Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Rowe and family; Chairman and Directors of Rogers Limited; Directors of Richardson and Co. Ltd.; J. and V. Squiers; Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Yeldon; Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of Katanning Masonic Lodge No. 30; Dave and Betty Walters and girls; Mrs. H. J. Walters and Arnold; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Warren and family; Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Webb and family (Albany); Mr. S. Emrose (W. D. and H. O. Wills Ltd.).

OBITUARY.
Mrs. Susan Jane Fairclough. (nee Bennett)

Southern Districts Advocate
13 April, 1936

In this issue we have to record the demise of Mrs Fairclough, wife of Mr James Fairclough. Mrs Fairclough was born at Bendigo, Victoria, 65 years ago. As a young woman she came West and went to Southern Cross, where she met and was married to Mr J. Fairclough. From there Mr and Mrs Fairclough then went to Mt. Malcolm, where they remained for about five years, after which, in 1907, they came to Katanning and took over the Federal hotel.

During the ten years which they were there the house, under the efficient control of deceased, was particularly popular.

At the end of that period they went to live at Kwobrup, where Mr Fairclough had invested extensively in farming. Some time ago, however, Mr Fairclough again mixed hotel keeping with the farming, and took over a lease of a hostelry at Mt Barker, where Mrs Fairclough resided for about five years. Since then she has resided at Kwobrup and in Katanning.

Some five years ago she declined into bad health and for the past 12 months she was practically bed-ridden, having spent a considerable portion of that time in hospital critically ill. With all, however, she maintained a bright disposition and bore her suffering with remarkable fortitude. The end came this (Monday) afternoon, and, while regretting her passing, it can only be regarded as a happy release.

She leaves a husband and two sons, Jack and Malcolm, both of whom are married and reside in the district.

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