John Maxwell Ferguson

John Ferguson
John Ferguson
Member of the Legislative Assembly; of Western Australia
	In office; 11 December 1903 – 28 June 1904
Preceded by	Denis Doherty
Succeeded by	Harry Bolton
Constituency	North Fremantle
Personal details
Born	28 April 1841; Dundee, Scotland
Died	2 August 1924 (aged 83); Mount Lawley, Western Australia

John Maxwell Ferguson (28 April 1841 – 2 August 1924) was an Australian businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He had business interests in several different industries in Western Australia, and was prominent in the state's Presbyterian community. Ferguson served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1903 to 1904, representing the seat of North Fremantle.

Early life

Ferguson was born in Dundee, Scotland, to Isabella (née Maxwell) and John Ferguson. His family moved to Western Australia when he was an infant, where his father, a physician, was appointed colonial surgeon (the colony's chief medical officer). Ferguson was initially educated at Bishop Hale's School, and then sent back to Scotland to attend the High School of Dundee. After leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy, eventually becoming captain of his own ship. In 1867, Ferguson returned to Western Australia, settling in Fremantle.[1] There, he acquired the schooner Airlie, which he used to trade with Singapore and China.[2]

Business career

In 1871, Ferguson acquired the lease of the Stanley Brewery. The following year, he went into partnership with William Mumme, a German expatriate with previous experience in the brewing trade. In 1874, the firm of Ferguson and Mumme acquired the Swan Brewery, which they relocated to the site of a freshwater spring at the foot of Mount Eliza. Ferguson sold his share in the brewery in 1886, and went into business as a general merchant in Fremantle, partnering with William Dalgety Moore. He established his own hardware business in 1889, and over the following years acquired interests in a number of saw mills in the South West.[1]

Politics and later life

Ferguson entered politics in 1903, winning that year's North Fremantle state by-election, which had been caused by the resignation of Denis Doherty, the member for North Fremantle. His time in parliament was short-lived, however, as he was defeated by the Labour candidate, Harry Bolton.[3] Ferguson remained involved in public life for some time, and was prominent in Perth's Presbyterian community. He financed a relocation of Scotch College in 1904, and in 1915 was involved in the establishment of Presbyterian Ladies' College.[4] He eventually retired to Mount Lawley, where he died in 1924, aged 83. Ferguson's nephew, Percy Douglas Ferguson, was also a member of parliament.[1]

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References

John Maxwell Ferguson – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
"MEMORY ECHOES." – The Daily News, 22 July 1924.
Black, David; Prescott, Valerie (1997). Election statistics : Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, 1890-1996. Perth, [W.A.]: Western Australian Parliamentary History Project and Western Australian Electoral Commission. ISBN 0730984095.
John Maxwell Ferguson Fund – Scotch College. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

Parliament of Western Australia
Preceded by Denis Doherty	Member for North Fremantle 1903–1904	Succeeded by Harry Bolton

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[bio-1] John Maxwell Ferguson – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

[2] "MEMORY ECHOES." – The Daily News, 22 July 1924.

[res-3] Black, David; Prescott, Valerie (1997). Election statistics : Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, 1890-1996. Perth, [W.A.]: Western Australian Parliamentary History Project and Western Australian Electoral Commission. ISBN 0730984095.

[4] John Maxwell Ferguson Fund – Scotch College. Retrieved 16 May 2016.