Embedded Files
Thurlow | Lucey | Berthelsen | Hanran | Madden | McPherson | Storrie | Dewe
James Joseph Patrick Madden
James Joseph Patrick Madden
1878 - 1954
James Joseph Patrick, third child of William Patrick Madden and (Ann) Nora (née Ford), was the second son and shared his birthplace of Cobar, NSW with his sisters, Rebecca and Mary Elizabeth “Molly”. He was born on 16 August 1878 and this was registered by his father at Bourke, NSW exactly three months later. Very little is known about James Joseph Patrick. However, after exhaustive sleuthing the information that follows has become known.
Prior to changes of the mid-1970s which came about after the Vietnam war, reaching the magic age of 21 meant “attaining your majority”. With "adulthood" came the privilege to vote and electoral records have disclosed that James' application to enrol for the District of Balonne in the Division of Cunnamulla was received on 16 January 1900. A closer inspection of the official records showed him to be a resident at Alice Street, Cunnamulla until the year 1912, Florence Street c1914, and Wick Street 1930-1954. This revelation was also backed up in some small way by my mother, Ruby Thurlow (née Berthelsen) who remembered, as a youngster, over-hearing the occasional reference in family conversations to an uncle Jim who resided at Cunnamulla.
Recollections of Jim
Recollections of Jim
Jim was also remembered by Bill Beesley of Townsville who, as a lad, had recollections of visiting his uncle Jim's farm in the company of his grandmother, Nora. According to Bill, Jim grazed cattle and goats. Government records indicate that Jim was a wood carter of Cunnamulla at the time he appeared as a witness at the inquest into the death of one Robert Auburn who drowned at Glenellen Selection, 7 miles from Cunnamulla. The sworn statement, signed by Jim Madden under his own hand, and dated 25 January 1896, confirmed that he was able to write.
Kevin McNally, a descendant of Bredelia Underwood (née Madden) recollected many, many years ago, having to escort his uncle Jim, who was partially blind, to the tram stop after visiting some members of the family at Spring Hill (probably the Beesley family). Ray Beesley also recalled meeting his uncle Jim when he came to Brisbane for an operation on his eyes.
Roy Berthelsen, another nephew (and the author's maternal uncle), was of the view that Jim retired to a house opposite the Eventide Home at Brighton and after following this lead some years ago I made a few more discoveries. Jim married Mary Kenny on 1 February 1912 and they spent most of their life in south-western Queensland. They had two children—Margaret (Maggie) who was born at Cunnamulla in 1912 and John (Jack), born two years later. Jack and Maggie both attended the convent school at Cunnamulla and Jack was remembered fondly by one of his school day contemporaries1 as the boy who "sharpened our pencils with his sharp knife".
It seems that Mary and daughter, Maggie moved to a home at 369 Beaconsfield Terrace, Brighton c1954. Co-incidentally, records have disclosed that James was admitted as an inmate of the Eventide Home in April 1954. After a short stay he died on Thursday, 1 July 1954 and was buried at Lutwyche cemetery the following day.
Mary died in Brisbane on 24 July 1965 and Maggie on 9 November 1968. Margaret is reported to have been hospitalised and died as a result of some treatment that went "horribly wrong". She has been described as "a wonderful woman who was never known to have any romantic attachments. She remained single and lived with her mother in a low-set home which no longer exists. Margaret was a solidly built woman and was a good housekeeper." Both mother and daughter are buried at Nudgee cemetery.
John served with the army during WWII, his army number being QX19516. He married Mary Bella Leahy c1955 and lived at 32 Ormonde Road, Yeronga for a few years (1960s). Jack was pre-deceased by his wife on 14 November 1979 and he was cremated 3 June 1987. The Courier-Mail of 2 June 1987 states that he was a member of UGLQ, Centenary of Queensland Lodge # 485; Yeronga-Dutton Park RSL; and Moorooka Bowls Club. The funeral notice reads:.
MADDEN, John Joseph (Jack) of Ormonde Road , Yeronga
The Relatives and Friends of the late John Joseph Madden are invited to attend his Cremation Service which is to be held at 11:00am tomorrow Wednesday [3 June 1987] in the West Chapel of Mt Thompson Crematorium. GEO HARTNETT QFDA 537 Stanley Street , Mater Hill 844-4911.
Notices also appeared in the newspaper for Centenary Lodge UGLQ; Yeronga Dutton Park RSL and Moorooka Bowls Club.
In recent years I learned that Jack (not so sure about his wife) managed "Alpha" a sheep property, some 17km east of Wyandra and about 105km north-east of Cunnamulla. Pam Fraser, a descendant of the original selector2 of "Alpha" says in her memories titled "My Life at Alpha"3 -
"It would be remiss of me not to include Jack Madden in the group. Jack came to Alpha from Cunnamulla and I guess he was then in his very early twenties. After some years, war broke out and he joined the army and saw service in the Middle East and later New Guinea.
Jack stayed at Alpha until 1955 when he left to be married [cJune or July] and live in Brisbane.
In 1946 the drought broke and Dad [Gordon Moody] leased the Commercial Hotel from the Breweries for three years, to be able to spell Alpha and to be able to replace the stock that had died during the drought. Jack Madden was the mainstay for Dad in those days, living at Alpha on his own through the week".
Pam also states that "Jack was a good tennis player. He was short and stocky, bow legged and dressed well. Was a bit of a loner and did not drink very much. Never known to have any romantic attachments so it came as a bit of a surprise when he left to be married."
Yet another contributor4 claims that Jack became a private detective when he relocated to Brisbane but I have never had this corroborated. He too was described as being of a solid build whereas his father, Jim, was slightly built.
These snippets are based on the reminiscences of several relatives and as a result of my research. This line of the Madden family has come to an end as both Jack and Maggie died without issue.
_____________
[1] and [4] The recollections of Mrs Kate Pollard (née Crummy) of 47 Watson Street, Charleville.[2] John Moody selected "Alpha" which was resumed from "Claverton" in 1904. John's son William Moody and his wife Ruby (née Brayley) were the first to occupy "Alpha".[3] From "Paddock to the pub: Wyandra and district - past 100 years" published by the Wyandra Centenary Committee.Can you assist with more information?
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse