Obituaries Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: use double quotes to search for a phrase
  • Tip: lists of awards, schools, organisations etc

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Joseph McEvoy (1850–1921)

Joseph McEvoy, n.d.

Joseph McEvoy, n.d.

photo supplied by Louise Nordestgaard

Death has robbed the West Coast of another old and respected identity in the person of Mr. Joseph McEvoy, of Cungena, whose death occurred at the Streaky Bay public hospital early on Tuesday morning. The deceased gentleman, who was 80 years of age, was ill for about a week before his demise, which came as a shock to his friends.

The late Mr. McEvoy was of a versatile nature and delighted in controversy. He was conversant with practically all matters of public interest, and until a short while ago was a regular and interesting correspondent to the open columns of The Sentinel. The late Mr. Joseph McEvoy was born at Dry Creek, near Adelaide, in the year 1850. He lived in the Gawler district for many years, where he learnt the blacksmithing trade. At the age of 28 he married Miss Eliza Case, of Gawler. Later he shifted to Booleroo Centre, and with a brother took up farming. He afterwards farmed in the Wirrabara district, and then went to Hammond where he lived for 23 years, farming with varying success. He came to the West Coast in 1903, and first resided at Lake Wangary, share farming with the late Mr. W. T. Mortlock for four years. From there Mr. McEvoy took up land in the Hundred of Mortlock, and farmed there for four years, but was not very successful in the early days. He sold out and went to Sceales Bay for four years, afterwards taking up land at Cungena, where he farmed with his son, Charles.

Mrs. McEvoy predeceased her husband by eleven years.

The deceased always enjoyed good health, and was only ill for one week before his death; he passed away peacefully. It was pleasing to him to have every member of the family at home at Cungena last Sunday.

The deceased’s father and mother both came from Ireland. His mother lived to be 96. He had eight brothers and one sister, and four brothers are still living. One (a twin) still resides in the Gawler district. The late Mr. McEvoy could relate some interesting tales of the early days in Adelaide, when, with his twin brother, they used to ride bicycles to the city, the streets of which could then be traversed in about half an hour. He used to tell good stories of the bullock teams in the city streets, and how he spent interesting times watching the shoppers loading their purchases on to bullock waggons and such like.

There were eight children, four sons and four daughters. The sons are Messrs F. J., E. R., and C. J. McEvoy of Cungena, and A. D. McEvoy of Port Lincoln. The daughters are Mesdames N. Adkins (Broken Hill), M. Phyland (Sceales Bay), R. Plush (Mortana) and F. C. Feltus (Piednippie). There are 33 grandchildren.

The funeral was conducted at the Streaky Bay Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.

Original publication

Citation details

'McEvoy, Joseph (1850–1921)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mcevoy-joseph-14263/text25320, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Joseph McEvoy, n.d.

Joseph McEvoy, n.d.

photo supplied by Louise Nordestgaard

Life Summary [details]

Birth

31 January, 1850
Modbury, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Death

29 July, 1921 (aged 71)
Streaky Bay, South Australia, Australia

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.

Occupation