Uncovering the stories

This series of posts focuses on an A-Z theme for April in 2025. I have chosen events that occurred On This Day in April of years in the past. These events are recorded in my genealogy database.

On this day - 24th April

There are many O'Leary families in South Australia, This Andrew was the brother of my gt.grandmother Honora. Here's some of the information I've uncovered about his life and family.

1849 - Birth: Andrew Michael O'LEARY, Para Plains, South Australia, Australia

Early Life in Para Plains

Andrew Michael O’Leary was born on 24 April 1849 in Para Plains, a flat, fertile region just north of Adelaide, South Australia. He was the son of Andrew O’Leary Sr., an Irish immigrant born in 1794, and Catherine Burke. Andrew was the fifth child born to this couple. South Australia had been declared a colony just 13 years earlier, and Para Plains was quickly becoming a centre for early farming families making a life on the land.

The O’Learys were among the many Irish Catholic families who brought with them deep-rooted traditions of faith, family, and hard work. The fertile soil of the Adelaide Plains proved ideal for cereal cropping—particularly wheat and barley—and for raising sheep and cattle. However, life on the land was anything but easy. Settlers like Andrew’s family had to contend with the harsh Australian sun, irregular rainfall, economic depressions, and isolation from towns. Farming was physically demanding and required all members of the household—men, women, and children—to pitch in.

The O’Leary household would have been busy. Like many rural families, they were most likely self-sufficient: producing their own food, trading with neighbours, and attending Mass on Sundays. The O’Learys had a strong presence in the Catholic community centred around Salisbury, where many Irish families settled.

As a young man, Andrew witnessed both the growth of the colony and the personal hardships that came with life. The death of his mother Catherine in 1871, followed by the loss of his younger brother Arthur just a few years later, marked a period of sorrow during his early adulthood.

Marriage and Family

(1.)

On 23 October 1879 at age 30, he married Catherine Theresa McCabe at St Laurence’s Church in North Adelaide, a church serving the expanding Catholic population.(1) Together, they had eight children, a large family, a tradition typical of rural Catholic households of the time.

Their children:
• Andrew Patrick (1880–1963)
• William (1884–1972)
• Catherine Margaret (1885–1976)
• Edmund (Edward) Joseph (1887–1968)
• Augustine (b. c.1890) 
• Mary (1892–1963)
• John (1894–1894, died in infancy)
• Dominic (1895–1977)

The family lived in and around Para Plains and later at Golden Grove, all key agricultural areas during Andrew's lifetime. The O’Leary children grew up amidst wheat fields, and livestock, learning the patterns of work on farms just as their father had.

Life on the Land

Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, Andrew established himself as a hardworking provider and father. He likely managed wheat crops and livestock, adapted to the introduction of new farming machinery, and participated in local parish life. Despite the loss of his infant son John in 1894, and his sister Mary Ann two years later, Andrew remained a steady figure in the community.

By the early 20th century, Golden Grove was changing, with agricultural holdings gradually giving way to residential development. But in Andrew’s lifetime, it remained primarily a farming district. He lived to see the Federation of Australia in 1901 and the increasing mechanization of farming. He also lived through World War I, a time when many rural families saw their sons leave the farm for the front lines.

Andrew Michael O’Leary died on 12 January 1920, at the age of 70, in Golden Grove. He was laid to rest at St Augustine’s Catholic Cemetery in Salisbury, not far from the land where he had been born and raised. His wife Catherine lived for another 22 years.

This extensive obituary was published in the Southern Cross newspaper shortly after his death.

MR. ANDREW O'LEARY, OF GOLDEN GROVE.

A Fine Old Colonist.

In the death of Mr. Andrew O'Leary, of Golden Grove, the parish of Salisbury has suffered an irreparable loss.

The deceased gentleman was a most lovable personality, ever tactful, mild, gentle, religious, and charitable. Every one who came in touch with him soon felt the worth of his character, and he numbered his friends among all creeds and classes. This presumably was but the reflex of his life, and of his efficacious faith, which was the force behind his every action, thought, and word. From his earliest youth Mr. O'Leary lived a life full of the good works of faith, and typical of the best fruits of Catholic teaching. Young and old loved him, and his unassuming, even, and gentle ways. May the life to which he has gone be but a more glorious and perfect continuance of the beautiful life that was his here below.

As he rested in peace with all in this life, may he rest in peace with his all in death. In the purity which is God's human nature is all imperfections, and thus must our prayers be continued, for even the best of ours that pass be-fore the dread tribunal of judgment. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Mr. O'Leary was born on April 24, 1849, and was thus a colonist of nearly 71 years. He had been ill for some months, and while Dr. McAree, of Tea-tree Gully, did all that medical skill could do, his end came peacefully on January 12 inst. The Revs. Father Morrison and Father Eviston were constant in their spiritual ministrations, and only a few hours before he died he reverently received the triaticum. He retained his full faculties until the end, received every comfort that religion could offer, and had the privilege of seeing those he loved best, his wife and children and relatives, kneeling around his deathbed and helping by their prayers his passage to a happier world.

The parents of the deceased were Mr. Andrew and Catherine O'Leary, who came to South Australia from Charleville, Co. Cork, Ireland, in the good ship Mary Dugdale in 1840. Shortly after their arrival they took up land near Salisbury, and were among the first settlers to start growing wheat. They were closely associated with the building of St. Augustine's Church, and Mr. O'Leary, with his bullock team, carted the first load of stones for that now historic building. His son, Andrew, followed in his father's footsteps, and during his life he never missed an opportunity to help where help could be given. The deceased left a widow, the fourth daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. P. McCabe, of Dry Creek, and five sons and two daughters, viz., Mr. Andrew O'Leary, jun. (Prospect), Mr. Willie O'Leary (Semaphore), Mr. Eddie O'Leary (Golden Grove), Bro. A. B. O'Leary (St. Patrick's College, Ballarat, Victoria), Mr. Dominic O'Leary (Wallaroo), and Miss O'Leary, and Miss Mary O'Leary (Golden Grove).

Mr. Frank Siebert had charge of the arrangements for the funeral, which took place at Salisbury on Wednesday, January 14. It was largely attended, friends coming from all parts to show their respect for the dead. The Rev. Father Eviston, assisted by the Rev. Aloysius Gatzemeyer, who motored up from the city, performed the last rites of the Church at the graveside. The Rev. Father Morrison, the parish priest, could not attend, being engaged in retreat at Brighton. The Right Rev. Mgr. O'Neill, V.G., also wired his sympathy and regret at not being able to attend. The family also received numerous messages of sympathy from clerical and lay friends. (2)

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 1. 1879 'Family Notices', South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881), 1 November, p. 4. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94751117

2. 1920 'OBITUARY.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 23 January, p. 5.   http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166429475

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