Rokewood headstone - Donald McLeoran and his wife Jane Nielson
(SIC - Wurrook, not Burrook)
(SIC - Wurrook, not Burrook)
Donald McLeoran 1836 - 1917
1856 The voyage of the Nugget - Birkenhead to Geelong
1856 Donald McLeoran ("McLearin") arrived on the Nugget
Donald McLeoran 1836 - 1917
Donald emigrated to Geelong, Victoria in 1856 along with his sister Mary. Immigration records suggest he had a sponsor on arrival. For the rest of his life he routinely spelt his surname as "McLaren".
The spelling of Donald's surname as "McLearin" probably indicates its pronunciation in 1856. Throughout his life in Australia, Malcolm employed "McLaren" as his surname.
He and Jane Nielson married in 1862 but they had no issue.
Donald and his brother Malcolm were highly regarded sheep farmers, if not wool industry leaders in the local area. He lived and worked at Wurrook, Rokewood for most of his years in Australia - see obituary below. Rokewood was both a gold mining and pastoral area. Donald was Thomas Russell's overseer by 1864.
Readily discovered articles in Trove reveal both Donald and Jane were heavily involved in community affairs and attended the Rokewood Presbyterian Church. From around 1861 Donald worked for Thomas Russell, the very wealthy owner of Wurrook, a cattle and sheep station. It is unknown where he worked between 1856 and 1861.
Donald passed away in 1917 at Wurrook (not "Burrook" on the headstone top of page) and Jane in 1918. Today, Wurrook is famous for its fine and superfine Merino wool.
Donald emigrated to Geelong, Victoria in 1856 along with his sister Mary. Immigration records suggest he had a sponsor on arrival. For the rest of his life he routinely spelt his surname as "McLaren".
The spelling of Donald's surname as "McLearin" probably indicates its pronunciation in 1856. Throughout his life in Australia, Malcolm employed "McLaren" as his surname.
He and Jane Nielson married in 1862 but they had no issue.
Donald and his brother Malcolm were highly regarded sheep farmers, if not wool industry leaders in the local area. He lived and worked at Wurrook, Rokewood for most of his years in Australia - see obituary below. Rokewood was both a gold mining and pastoral area. Donald was Thomas Russell's overseer by 1864.
Readily discovered articles in Trove reveal both Donald and Jane were heavily involved in community affairs and attended the Rokewood Presbyterian Church. From around 1861 Donald worked for Thomas Russell, the very wealthy owner of Wurrook, a cattle and sheep station. It is unknown where he worked between 1856 and 1861.
Donald passed away in 1917 at Wurrook (not "Burrook" on the headstone top of page) and Jane in 1918. Today, Wurrook is famous for its fine and superfine Merino wool.
1917 Donald McLeoran's funeral notice
1 Dec 1917 Donald McLaren Obituary
Pitfield Banner and Hollybush Times, Saturday 1 December 1917
ROKEWOOD. WELL-KNOWN STATION MANAGER PASSES
Mr Donald McLaren, a very old colonist, passed away at his residence on Saturday at the advanced age of 84* years. Mr McLaren was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and has resided at Wurrook for the past 56 years**. He was manager for Mr Thomas Russell***, who had every confidence in him and left the whole of the responsibility of working the estate to his care. Mr McLaren was an expert in the management of both sheep and cattle. The deceased leaves a wife but no family.
The funeral took place on Tuesday to the Rokewood Cemetery and was very largely attended. The coffin-bearers were Messrs D. Trende. 13. Wheadon, D. Crawford, and L.Tirch. The pall-bearers were Mr Eric Russell, Crs J. Boyle (president Leigh Shire Conncil), and Geo. Turner (Buninyong Shire), Rev. W. E. Pugh, Messrs Jas. Bingley, J. Vernon, W. Neilson, Geo. Stanbrook, A. P. Bingley, H. Cookson, and R. Bingley. Other representatives were Messrs Donald Cameron, C. Cahill, M. Wakeling, Alec. Trende, Const. Day, Thorn, Simpson, J. Reynolds, R. Sculley, and C. Robinson. Among the floral tributes were handsome wreaths from Mr Thomas Russell (England), Mr Eric Russell (Wurrook), and the employees on the station. The Rev. T. V. Charlton officiated at the house and grave.
* Donald's actual age was 81.
** Since 1861 - Donald was recorded as "overseer" in 1867.
*** Wurrook owner, Mr Thomas Russell MLA, lived at Rokewood from around 1849. He owned another sheep property nearby and was involved in many ventures and at one time was a trustee of the Presbyterian Ladies College. He returned to UK between 1873 and 1887. In 1890s he was living again in the UK when he donated two amounts of £1,000 to the Rosewood Presbyterian Church (some of the funds were used to construct a spire in 1905) and a consignment of valuable books to the Mechanics' Library. Russell passed away around 1920 in England, where he had resided since the 1890s. A plaque to his memory was placed in the Presbyterian Church at Rokewood. The church today is (controversially) in private hands.
Pitfield Banner and Hollybush Times, Saturday 1 December 1917
ROKEWOOD. WELL-KNOWN STATION MANAGER PASSES
Mr Donald McLaren, a very old colonist, passed away at his residence on Saturday at the advanced age of 84* years. Mr McLaren was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and has resided at Wurrook for the past 56 years**. He was manager for Mr Thomas Russell***, who had every confidence in him and left the whole of the responsibility of working the estate to his care. Mr McLaren was an expert in the management of both sheep and cattle. The deceased leaves a wife but no family.
The funeral took place on Tuesday to the Rokewood Cemetery and was very largely attended. The coffin-bearers were Messrs D. Trende. 13. Wheadon, D. Crawford, and L.Tirch. The pall-bearers were Mr Eric Russell, Crs J. Boyle (president Leigh Shire Conncil), and Geo. Turner (Buninyong Shire), Rev. W. E. Pugh, Messrs Jas. Bingley, J. Vernon, W. Neilson, Geo. Stanbrook, A. P. Bingley, H. Cookson, and R. Bingley. Other representatives were Messrs Donald Cameron, C. Cahill, M. Wakeling, Alec. Trende, Const. Day, Thorn, Simpson, J. Reynolds, R. Sculley, and C. Robinson. Among the floral tributes were handsome wreaths from Mr Thomas Russell (England), Mr Eric Russell (Wurrook), and the employees on the station. The Rev. T. V. Charlton officiated at the house and grave.
* Donald's actual age was 81.
** Since 1861 - Donald was recorded as "overseer" in 1867.
*** Wurrook owner, Mr Thomas Russell MLA, lived at Rokewood from around 1849. He owned another sheep property nearby and was involved in many ventures and at one time was a trustee of the Presbyterian Ladies College. He returned to UK between 1873 and 1887. In 1890s he was living again in the UK when he donated two amounts of £1,000 to the Rosewood Presbyterian Church (some of the funds were used to construct a spire in 1905) and a consignment of valuable books to the Mechanics' Library. Russell passed away around 1920 in England, where he had resided since the 1890s. A plaque to his memory was placed in the Presbyterian Church at Rokewood. The church today is (controversially) in private hands.
Dec 1918 Jane (SIC in article) McLaren's obituary in The Ballarat Star
Wurrook today
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Rokewood Presbyterian Church (in private hands today)
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Comments - Donald McLeoran
Donald confidently emigrated at the age of 19 to Geelong, Victoria, with his sister Mary aboard the Nugget, arriving 12 Nov 1856. It is likely he had never been further afield than Campbeltown before.
His parents and younger siblings Isabella, Malcolm and Edward remained in Southend until 1860. It was a time when the McLeorans and many others were being forced to leave Southend: his uncle Malcolm, with his wife and five children departed in 1853, after 1855 his cousin Archibald McLeoran and his family, and between 1851 and 1861 his cousins John McMillan McLeoran and Malcolm McLeoran the younger.
If Donald was attracted by the lure of the gold rush, he soon applied himself to sheep farming. In this pursuit, he was as successful as his cousin Donald McLaran in Queensland, though he was never a property owner. Rokewood is a mere 70 km from Geelong, where he disembarked 61 years prior to his death. He was appointed manager of Wurrock at the age of 28 and through this position, commanded authority and public position and respect for the remainder of his life.
Donald's cousin, Catherine McLaren, emigrated to Moreton Bay in 1853 and spent time in Victoria around 1854 - 1857, and during her stay she may have had contact / resided with Donald and Mary - this is elaborated upon on Catherine's page.
Documents available online suggest the childless Donald and Jane's marriage came under stress in 1877 when divorce proceedings were initiated by Jane. It appears that action was not followed through and a settlement of sorts must have been achieved.
Donald confidently emigrated at the age of 19 to Geelong, Victoria, with his sister Mary aboard the Nugget, arriving 12 Nov 1856. It is likely he had never been further afield than Campbeltown before.
His parents and younger siblings Isabella, Malcolm and Edward remained in Southend until 1860. It was a time when the McLeorans and many others were being forced to leave Southend: his uncle Malcolm, with his wife and five children departed in 1853, after 1855 his cousin Archibald McLeoran and his family, and between 1851 and 1861 his cousins John McMillan McLeoran and Malcolm McLeoran the younger.
If Donald was attracted by the lure of the gold rush, he soon applied himself to sheep farming. In this pursuit, he was as successful as his cousin Donald McLaran in Queensland, though he was never a property owner. Rokewood is a mere 70 km from Geelong, where he disembarked 61 years prior to his death. He was appointed manager of Wurrock at the age of 28 and through this position, commanded authority and public position and respect for the remainder of his life.
Donald's cousin, Catherine McLaren, emigrated to Moreton Bay in 1853 and spent time in Victoria around 1854 - 1857, and during her stay she may have had contact / resided with Donald and Mary - this is elaborated upon on Catherine's page.
Documents available online suggest the childless Donald and Jane's marriage came under stress in 1877 when divorce proceedings were initiated by Jane. It appears that action was not followed through and a settlement of sorts must have been achieved.