JOHN MULQUEEN (b. 1874 County Clare Ireland)
Born at Dooras, John joined his brother Michael and sister Catherine, in emigrating to Australia in 1891. With his brother he made his way to Bendigo and found work initially at the Cohn’s Brother’s Victoria Brewery in Bridge Street.
On the death of Peter Fizelle, John took management role of the Cab business and Livery Stables which had been part of the Fizelle businesses at McCrae St, near Arnold St.
On September 26th 1905 he married Catherine Hurley at St. Peter’s church Wychitella.
His brother Andrew was his best man and witness. Kate’s Bridesmaid was Bridget Hurley who later married Peter Kiniry, (They were the parents of Fr. Jack Kiniry [at one time PP of Elmore] and Fr. Tom Kiniry [former PP at Horsham]).
John, as a Cab operator had met his wife at the Bendigo Railway station where she had worked in the Tea Rooms. Following their Wedding, the reception was held at the Hurley Farm House.
The pair bought a home in Mercy Street near the Hospital, where their children were raised. They were regular parishioners of St. Kilian’s Church and John was a prominent member of the Hibernian Society and often took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parades.
In 1927 they purchased a small farm at Kangaroo Flat around the area of Lansell Plaza/Bunnings. They struggled financial to make ends met during the depression years of the 1930’s. John suffered ill health and died on August 28th 1936. The family rosary was part of the heritage he left his family, and he died saying the Rosary. He was aged 67 Years.
He was buried at the White Hills Cemetery with his brothers Michael and Andrew conducting his funeral.
