Obituaries Australia

The late Mr. John Quirk, of Tumbulgum, who died last week, was born in the year 1843 on the farm of Lambfell, Kirk Gorman (Isle of Man). He was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Quirk, and one of a family of 18. He came to Australia at the age of 20, and settled in the Hunter River, where he commenced tobacco growing. He later turned his attention to the Tweed River district. At that time the banks of the Tweed were covered with a dense scrub, practically impenetrable. He and the late Mr. Thomas Campbell selected 320 acres to clear and crop. The two partners later carried on a butchering business for many years, which was subsequently taken over by Mr. Robert Quirk. The late Mr. John Quirk and his wife and family returned to the old farm, where they engaged in dairying and mixed farming. In 1904 Mr. Quirk returned to his native land after an absence of 42 years. He was accompanied by Mrs. Quirk. On his return to the Tweed he again took over the reins of management, and continued to be successful in his enterprises.