Daniel, father of ten, farmer of Gulnare

The barque "China" courtesy SA Maritime museum

Daniel Horgan arrived in South Australia aboard the barque “China” in November 1852. His widowed mother Johanna and his two older brothers were his companions and comfort for the 10 year old on their 109 day journey. They had already travelled from Count Kerry in Ireland to the embarkation port of Portsmouth.

Johanna's sister Elizabeth Fitzgerald, was married to Thomas Evans and they were already resident in South Australia. Their brother, John Fitzgerald, also resident in South Australia, sponsored the immigration by providing the 8 pound fee. When Daniel arrived as a young boy, he was surrounded by this extended family.

SA  Govt. Gazette, Nov. 18, 1852, p. 701

Marriage and years near Tarlee

Daniel was 27 when he married his cousin Julia Evans at Mintaro in 1872, she was 24. After their marriage they lived on a farm near Tarlee not far from his mother and elder brother John. Their first child Johanna, named after his mother, was born the following year. Their family grew to ten as nine sons were born in the years that followed.

Life on the farm was demanding, particularly with so many children to care for. The drought of 1881 and several subsequent years of low rainfall led to the failure of crops and the death of livestock. By 1886, these challenges had taken a significant toll on Daniel's finances, ultimately leading to his inability to meet his debts.

Financial difficulties on the farm 1886

Assignment.—Daniel Horgan, farmer, of near Tarlee, has assigned his estate for the benefit of his creditors [1]

His farm was now advertised for sale, firstly for April of 1886 but subject to the need for adequate advance notice, a second round of advertisements were placed. The major items that were offered for sale are below. The advertisement with complete details is here. [2] 

The trustees of Daniel Horgan's estate have appointed CH. RICHARDSON to oversee the auction of valuable assets, to be sold without reserve.

The auction will feature:

- 23 top-tier FARM HORSES, including 8 promising Colts and Fillies

- 22 Head of Cattle, with quality Milking Cows among them

- Farming Equipment such as Plows, Harvesters, Wagons, and more

- Essential supplies like Seeds, Hay, and Poultry

Also available for purchase are parcels of land:

- 1062 acres in the Hundreds of Light and Gilbert, including well-fenced farmland and homesteads

- 626 acres forming a complete farm, well-equipped with water sources and necessary infrastructure

- 436 acres in the Hundred of Light, offering excellent grazing land and essential facilities

Terms of sale:

- Land: 25% down payment, remainder within one month

- Livestock and equipment: full payment due at the time of sale

An additional offering:

- A twenty-year lease from the government for 908 acres of prime land in the Hundred of Schomburgk

Interested parties are invited to the Tarlee Hotel on Tuesday, May 11, at 11 a.m. to participate in the auction.

Later years

By 1893 Daniel's family had moved north and procured land near Gulnare. As his children grew older they worked alongside him on the farm. He witnessed the marriages of his daughter and 5 of his sons.

Johannah married Edward Slattery in 1900 

John Michael married Mary Ann Barry in 1912

Thomas Bernard married Sarah Donnellan in 1912

Denis Michael married Catherine Walsh in 1904

Daniel married Honora Murphy in 1908

Christopher Gerald married Ann Jane Hunter in 1914

The farm could not support all those boys so they moved on to other occupations. Only George remained at Gulnare when Daniel died at age 73 in 1916. 

His obituary highlights his contributions and the respect he garnered within the community. He was remembered as an energetic and persevering individual who, despite facing significant challenges, managed to create a successful and respected life for himself and his family.

Obituary

MR. D. HORGAN, GULNARE. [3]

Our Georgetown correspondent writes:—Death has put in his claim for another of our old pioneers, the last to succumb to the inevitable decree being Mr. Daniel Horgan, of Gulnare, who passed away about 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, April 15. The deceased gentleman was born in the historical County of Kerry, made famous as the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell. The late Mr. Horgan was 73 years of age, and a colonist of 63 years, arriving in the State when only 10 years old. Being of an energetic disposition, he at the first opportunity launched out to carve his own fortune. At an early age he took for his life's partner Julia, daughter of the late John [ed. Thomas] Evans. The young couple were possessed of all the qualities that go to make success. That they met with reverses goes without saying; but reverses to them only meant an incentive to greater perseverance, and success eventually crowned their efforts.

Some 23 years ago Mr. Horgan purchased a large farm on the fertile plain of Gulnare, where he lived up to the time of his death, and where some of the family still reside. As Catholics he and his family were in the foremost ranks. They also had the respect and admiration of all, both by repute and acquaintance. 

The funeral was one of the largest seen here, over 70 vehicles following the remains, first to St. Mary's Church, thence to the Catholic Cemetery, Georgetown, where the body was consigned to its last resting place, the Very Rev. Father Mulcahy, an old-time friend of the family, officiating.

The deceased left a widow, one daughter (Mrs. E. Slattery, Maylands), eight sons (Messrs. Daniel, Mundoora; Thomas, Curramulka; John and William, Port Germein; Dennis, Kapunda; Christopher, Koolunga; George, Gulnare; and Maurice, who is studying for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College, Manly. It was Mrs. Horgan's ambition that one of her sons should be a priest. That wish is about to be fulfilled, as Mr. Horgan hopes to be ordained with in the present year. R.I.P.

Patrick James, Daniel's 5th son had pre-deceased him in 1908.
Peter Maurice his youngest son was ordained a priest in November 1917.

Probate of £678 was published on 9 August 1916. [4]

[1] 1886 'The Kapunda Herald.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 9 April, p. 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107358834

[2] 1886 'Advertising', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 27 April, p. 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107359066

[3] 1916 'OBITUARY.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 28 April, p. 13 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166420290

[4] 1916 'Personal.', Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), 9 August, p. 8 .https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212166449

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