John Hugh Macvean was the second son of Alexander MacVean, who was a sheep farmer in a large way in Scotland. John was one of eight sons, five of whom emigrated to Australia. He arrived at Port Phillip in 1841, and was followed a few years later by four of his brothers.
Soon after his arrival he settled near Geelong, where in 1842 he married Miss Hannah Hill. Then he took up a run near the site of Horsham, but abandoned that country after one of his shepherds was murdered by the blacks. Subsequently MacVean acquired Wardy Yallock, near Cressy. This run included the area known later as Strathvean. He took two of his brothers into partnership, and later sold his interest in the property to them. Another purchase by John MacVean was Mount Greenock, near Clunes. He lived at Mount Greenock for about six years; then sold out and bought the Stoney Rises, near Colac. He also added Nypo and Wonga Lake to his holdings.
Attracted by the larger areas in New South Wales he sold all his Victorian interests in 1870, and invested in the Thelangerin, on the Lachlan, and Howlong, on the Murray. The Lachlan station he soon passed on to A. McFarlane, and he sold Howlong to his son, Alexander. Then he acquired the K1 Station, near Euston, which he resold to his brother, the Rev. Allan MacVean, about the year 1875: and then, in partnership with Mark Tully, he invested in the Tongo Lake Station, on the Paroo.
MacVean invested heavily also in Queensland. His last and least fortunate venture was in a large Queensland cattle station, which proved to be a sink for most of his capital. He ended his days at Hauteville, near Albury.
(This series of Articles was begun in "The Argus" on August 14, 1934, and was transferred to "The Australasian" on October 6, 1934.)
'MacVean, John Hugh (1817–1894)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/macvean-john-hugh-19979/text31148, accessed 4 November 2024.
17 January,
1817
Aryhoulan,
Argyll,
Scotland
9 July,
1894
(aged 77)
Albury,
New South Wales,
Australia
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