Obituaries Australia

John Anderson, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 November 1917

The death of Mr. John Wilson Anderson, the well-known owner of Tower Hill Park Estate, near Koroit, last month at the age of 77 years, will be regretted by a large circle of friends. The death occurred at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. H. B. Lewis, in Melbourne. The late Mr. Anderson was born in Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, and came out to Australia in 1863. For five years after his arrival he occupied the position of manager of the late Mr. Edward Wilson's experimental farm at Arundel, Keilor, and when he relinquished that appointment he became auctioneer for Messrs. Ryan and Hammond, stock and station agents, Melbourne, and later on joined the firm of Messrs. McGregor and Co., Warrnambool, in the same capacity. He was a shrewd and clever business man, with excellent judgment as to land values. Forty years ago he materially helped Australian agricultural and pastoral pursuits in buying and subdividing large estates. Mr. Anderson was the originator of share farming with regard to dairying, and was instrumental in establishing the pioneer butter factory in Victoria, of which he was chairman of directors until quite recently, and was president of the Dairymen's Association of Victoria. For forty years Mr. Anderson has judged cattle at the Melbourne Royal Agricultural Show, and was one of the five members appointed to the executive council of the society for the purpose of formulating a scheme to provide for the export of butter. He retired from business about ten years ago, but took a keen interest in the management of his properties up to the last few months of his life. Full of good stories and reminiscences of the early days of Victoria, he was an entertaining and kindly host whose companionship was a pleasure to those who were privileged to enjoy his hospitality. He leaves a grown-up family of two sons and three daughters.