Service to the Council and Community

Thomas, a gt-grand uncle

Thomas Horgan, councillor 1880-81
Photo courtesy of Mintaro Historical Society

Thomas Horgan, aged 16, arrived in South Australia in 1852 from Ireland with his mother Johanna and two brothers, John and Daniel. For the first few years Thomas worked with his brother John and when land was acquired at Linwood a farming future was envisaged.

By 1869 Thomas had married Mary Carroll in the small Catholic chapel at Navan between Tarlee and Riverton. [1] They moved to and lived near the small village of Mintaro and here Thomas made a home for his family.

In 1872 he was elected to the Stanley District Council for the first of his many years of service to the community.

By 1874 Thomas was advertising that he had 60 tons of wheaten hay available for sale on his property which was two miles from Mintaro Station.[2] Pigs were also kept on the farm, as monetary prizes for flitches[3] of bacon, hams and lard were awarded at the local shows.

Advocacy 1876 - Deputation to the Council of Education

We take for granted the right our children have to attend a school but in 1876 there was an urgent need for a new school to be established to cater for a growing population. Six miles was too far to travel by horse or buggy each day for small children, especially in the depths of winter. Thomas represented his community in this appeal.

Wakefield Springs. — A deputation, consisting of Messrs. T. Horgan (member of the Stanley District Council) and B. Lynch were introduced by Mr. C. Mann M.P. The deputation wished for the erection of a school on Section 364, Hundred of Stanley, which was at the sources of the River Wakefield, about 2½ miles from Mintaro Railway Station. There were 50 or 60 children within a radius of 2½ miles, and no school nearer than six miles. The President promised to take the matter into consideration.[4]

Thomas continued to serve on the Council for 25 years, exhibiting a willingness to serve his community for the betterment of all. He acquired close to 2000 acres of land in and around the area.

Family life

Seven children were born to Thomas and Mary, but the family would have been saddened by the death of little Edmund in 1886 when he was only fifteen months old. Thomas and his sons were successful farmers with the local papers recording sales of sheep and hay. At Burra in 1883, 700 sheep were sold and the following year another 1200 sold. By 1898 Thomas finally relinquished his position on the Council.

Thomas died in 1901 leaving behind his wife Mary and the six surviving children: John, Thomas James, Denis Joseph, Mary Elizabeth, Daniel and Johanna. This was before any of his children had married.

HORGAN.—Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Thomas Horgan, who died at his residence, Mintaro railway, on 16th January, 1901. Fortified by the last Sacraments of the Church. Sweet Jesus, grant him eternal rest.[5]

Thomas was buried in the Manoora Catholic Cemetery. This obituary records the large number of people who attended his funeral.

Universal regret is being expressed throughout this district at the death of the late Mr. Thomas Horgan, one of the oldest and most respected residents of this neighborhood. The funeral took place on Friday last, and was the most representative, and the largest ever seen in Manoora, where the remains of the deceased were interred. The late Mr. Horgan was a large and successful farmer, was widely known for his liberality to the Church, and to the poor, and hence it was no great surprise to see some 400 people, representing all classes and creeds, assemble in the graveyard on Friday afternoon. The Rev. C. Dietel, S.J. (Sevenhills) officiated at the grave, and there were also present Rev. T. Carroll, S.J. (Norwood), brother-in-law of the deceased, Rev. G. Pierce (Manoora), Rev. T. Lee (Marrabel), and Rev. J. Redden (Kooringa).[6] 

The will and testament of Thomas Horgan 

Thomas had large land holdings, about 1090 acres. He divided his land and equipment equitably between his sons while ensuring that the farm provided a annuity of £100 for his wife. The estate was valued not to be in excess of £4710. (7) A transcription of the will can be seen on this site by clicking on the images of the will.

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 [1] Groom Surname: HORGAN - Groom Given Names: Thomas Bride Surname: CARROLL -Bride Given Names: Mary Marriage Date: 26-Oct-1869 Marriage Place: Catholic Chapel Navan Groom Age: 28 Groom Marital Status: S Groom Father: Thomas HORGAN Bride Age: 23 Bride Marital Status: S Bride Father: John CARROLL District: Gilbert Book/Page: 81/205
[2] 1874 'Advertising', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 5 May, p. 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196749080
[3] A side of bacon — half of a pig that has been cut in half lengthwise.
[4] 1876 'COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.', South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881), 2 September, p. 10. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92256000 
[5] Family Notices (1901, January 25). Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), p. 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166992935
[6] 1901 'COUNTRY.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 February, p. 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16699302

(7) "Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74MP-RQZM ), image 134,135 Entry for Thomas Horgan, 1 April 1901.

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin