William McPherson (c. 1857–1943)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2022
William McPherson [known as ‘Snowy Campbell’] (1857-1943), shearer, and gaoled trade unionist
Birth: [according to his death certificate] c.1857 in Chatsworth, Victoria, son of Oscar Macpherson, farmer, and Anne, née Green. Marriage: Unknown. Death: 7 August 1943 in Wiluna district hospital, Western Australia. Religion: Methodist.
- A staunch unionist linked with the foundation of the Australian Workers’ Union. According to obituaries he hailed from Narah (Cootamundra) New South Wales, was gaoled in an early strike in the eastern States in the early 1880s and knew the poet “Henry Lawson personally”.
- Went to Coolgardie in 1890 and “worked on practically every mining field in the Golden West” - a goldfields identity. Was an old age pensioner when he died.
- Cause of death: pneumonia and cardiac failure.
Related Entries in NCB Sites
Citation details
Chris Cunneen, 'McPherson, William (c. 1857–1943)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mcpherson-william-32688/text40599, accessed 30 June 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Campbell, Snowy
Birth
c.
1857
Chatsworth,
Victoria,
Australia
Death
7 August,
1943
(aged ~ 86)
Wiluna,
Western Australia,
Australia
Cause of Death
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.