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James Joseph Fern (1836–1918)

by Chris Cunneen

This article was published:

James Joseph Fern (1836-1918) gardener, trade union official and Catholic layman

Birth: 1836 in Ireland, son of James Ferans (1816-1889), gardener, and Elizabeth Daughtery (1817-1897). Marriage: 15 April 1861 at St Mary’s Church, Broughton Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Elizabeth McIvor (1843-1919). They had five daughters and six sons. Death: 19 July 1918 in his son’s residence at Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Early in life he moved from Ireland to Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Arrived in Queensland aboard the Ariadne on 8 October 1862. In 1864 he was a gardener on Gigoomgan Station, Wide Bay.
  • Moved to New South Wales about 1878. Worked as a gardener at Sydney Botanic Gardens from 1879 until his death.
  • One of the founders of the Gardeners’ Union, which he represented on the Trades and Labor Council in 1890.
  • At his death he was reputedly the oldest member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, having joined in Scotland in 1858.
  • Cause of death: cardiac failure and senile degeneration.
  • Four of his sons had seen active military service, George was a South African War veteran, Edward L., Joseph and Charles Stuart (Charlie) served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I.
  • Son Charles Stuart Fern (1884-1918) was a member of parliament of NSW.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • photo, Australian Town and Country Journal, 14 August 1918, p 5

Related Entries in NCB Sites

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Citation details

Chris Cunneen, 'Fern, James Joseph (1836–1918)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/fern-james-joseph-34610/text43522, accessed 27 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1836
Ireland

Death

19 July, 1918 (aged ~ 82)
Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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